Country Churches of NZ 87. St. David's, Cust, Canterbury

I wrote and illustrated Country Churches of New Zealand. It was published in 2002 by New Holland, Publishers and is still on sale in bookshops. The publishers have kindly agreed to me re-publishing some of the book’s images and descriptions in this blog.

ST. DAVID’S, CUST

Not far along the road from St. James's (86) but built much later, in 1935, is the Presbyterian St David's Union Church.

As with St James's, it was detail that caught my eye - this time the central bell tower, which seems to shrug into the roof giving the whole structure a fortress-like stability.

Its windows and embellishments are refreshingly Art Deco, reminiscent of some cinemas built in that era.

Designed by Cecil Wood (whose more traditional work can be seen in some of the Christ's College buildings) and built by Wadey & Efford for £1300, it supplanted an 1885 church.

© DON DONOVAN
donovan@ihug.co.nz
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