Country Churches of NZ 89. St. Cuthbert's, Governors Bay, Christchurch

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 CUTHBERT'S, GOVERNORS BAY

'Idyllic spring day. Lawns and gravestones very well tended. Interior dark wood, low windows, peaceful and reassuring. Lady doing flowers said they're planning a fund-raising drive to keep the church maintained. I think that this is the best of all that I've visited so far.' (SKETCHBOOK NOTE 1/11/2001)

The foundation stone of St Cuthbert's, Governors Bay, was laid in 1860. Two years later Edward Morey finished building it to the design of George Mallinson using cob faced with stone from a local quarry.

Governors Bay is on the inside of Lyttelton's volcanic crater and the wind sweeps down from Coopers Knobs on the crest above so strongly that the outside walls of the church had to be buttressed. These add to the charm of a building that very closely resembles an English village church.

© DON DONOVAN
donovan@ihug.co.nz
.