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St Mary Magdalene Anglican Church, Ashhurst

Description: St Mary Magdalene Church was designed by the Anglican diocesan architect Frederick de Jersey Clere in the Gothic Revival style. Construction began in 1897 and the building was consecrated in 1900. It was Ashhurst's second Anglican church, replacing a smaller timber structure built in 1882. This original church building was relocated to Bunnythorpe, them moved again to a marae near Rata. Extensive use was made of native timber for the church's interior linings and fittings. This view shows the west end of the Church and is taken from the corner of Winchester Street.
Funds for the new church were raised in both England and from the local community. A significant donation of £100 was made by Lucy Ashhurst, the sister of Henry George Ashhurst (1820-1882) after whom the town had been named. In 1899, Lucy Ashhurst also donated the church's font in memory of her brother.
This image is derived from a copy negative made from a photograph that was loaned for copying. The original photographic print is not held by the Ian Matheson City Archives.