The local Maori people had knowledge of Christianity as early as the 1840's when it is believed Revend Octavius Hadfield visited the Maori settlements around the coast. By the late 1850's organised church avtivity was underway. A large whare, which served as a church, was built on Wapping Point, at the western end of the peninsula on which the town of Collingwood is now built (now part of the present camping ground).

The whare, and later the "Old Collingwood School" were used for services until the church was erected. Clergymem visited Golden Bay until Reverend R H Codrington, the first resident clergyman, was appointed in 1860. He was based in Collingwood and visited Takaka once a month for services. A plaque is erected in the church in memory of him.

This page was last updated: January 10, 2007

Reverend Codrington was suceeded by Reverend C Henry J Halcombe in May 1861. His duties included visiting and conducting services at the Aorere gold diggings. The Halcombes left the district in 1871 after establishing a building fund for a church.

Thirty-one year old Reverend Richard H Gaskin became the next vicar. He is reported to have worked enthusiastically towards the erection of the church, but was tragically drowned in the Aorere River only a year after being appointed and before the church was built. He is buried in the historic pioneer cemetery behind the present school. In order to fulfil Reverend Gaskin's wishes, the Building Committee made the erection of the church a priority matter and within three months of his death arrangements were completed  for its erection.

DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION

Thomas Brunner, the well known explorer, who was trained as an architect and surveyor prior to coming to New Zealand in 1841, designed the church in his retirement.

The tender for construction of the church was successfully won by a Mr. Grange for the sum of 40 pounds. Much of the primarily rimu timber used in its construction was pitsawn in the bush by sawyers, John Skilton and John James.

No records have been found concerning the dedication of the building, but this apparently took place late in 1873.

St. Cuthbert's has a Category "1" classification with the Historic Places Trust of New Zealand, indicating a place of "special or outstandind historical or cultural heritage significance or value".

Colour photographs all taken in November 2006

Saint Cuthbert's Church, Collingwood is situated on the hillside overlooking the village and the Aorere River Estuary. It was built of pitsawn timber in 1873 and is the oldest building remaining in Collingwood.

It is a good example of the small wooden Gothic Revival churches built throughout New Zealand in the second half of the nineteenth century.

The church has an entry porch which is a lean -to structure, surmounted by a small turret bell tower and a plain cross. The double doors, which are not original (those and the windows were given by Bishop Suter and the doors were replaced in the early 1970's), have a single arched window above. The original steps have also been replaced.

The chancel is gabled and has three plain lancet windows at the west end, with a leadlighted trefoil window on each of the side walls.

A gabled vestry on the south side of the nave has decorative detailing in the eaves. Its wall cladding differs from that of the main structure of the church.

The nave is a simple gabled structure with vertical board and batten cladding. Two small bays project from each side of the nave, roofed by a continuous projection of the main roof. Each bay has a trefoil window. Elsewhere lancet windows, some leaded, are used.

The present pews are believed to have come from the Nelson Cathedral, the originals having been badly affected with borer.

The original roof was shingles, but it was replaced with corregated iron in 1890. The original shingles can be seen under the iron above the santuary. The bell which hangs in the porch is the original bell. The "Nelson Evening Mail" of April 2, 1872 reported "The first bell to be cast in Nelson was successfully turned out at Mr. Mountray's foundry today. It weighed about a hundredweight and has a clear ringing tone that is soon to awaken the echos at Collingwood for the church in which district it is intended".

Information on this page was copied from the brochure found in the church that was produced to mark the church's 125th anniversary. I have done my own research on this church which I will add when I can locate it!