Country Churches of NZ 99. Church of The Holy Innocents, Mt Peel, 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.

CHURCH OF THE HOLY INNOCENTS, MOUNT PEEL

From the standpoint of the twenty-first century it's hard to imagine that one family could finance the construction of such a superb church. But that is exactly what John Acland did to serve the spiritual needs of his Mount Peel station's menmbers and servants.

He gave the land in 1866; his wife, Emily, laid the foundation stone in 1868, and the Church of The Holy Innocents was consecrated one year later by the bishop of Christchurch.
Poignantly, it was named for four children already buried in the churchyard. Designed by a Mr Ashworth of Exeter, it was built of Mt Somers stone and Rangitata River greywacke by William Brassington of Christchurch.

Inside, dark black pine and totara timbers are offset by some fine stained glass. There are always fresh cut flowers from the estate, which is still in the ownership and care of the Acland family.

© DON DONOVAN
donovan@ihug.co.nz
.