History of the Upper Hutt Uniting Parish
St Davids Presbyterian Church opened on 20 April 1879 on land donated by George Brown. The church was designed by a noted Wellington architect, Thomas Turnbull. Renovations and additions were made in 1924 and 1933, and may have included the front porch and back rooms, which were not part of the original church.
Although the church was opened in 1879 it is believed a Presbyterian Sunday School had already been operating in the Rose of Sharon Lodge Hall for about 18 months prior to that.
In 1899 St David's purchased two acres of land at the top of the Wallaceville Hill to be used as a Presbyterian Cemetery.
The church hall foundation was laid in 1955, and the hall opened in February 1959. Around the same time as the hall opening, repairs to the church saw the belfry removed.
Over the years due to population growth St David's established further preaching places at Whiteman's Valley (1893), St Margaret's, Silverstream (1930), St Andrew's, Trentham (1933) and Iona, Ebentown (c1957). In time most of these areas became separate parishes.
Ref: Recollect: Upper Hutt City Library website.
In 1976, the Presbyterian churches of St. David's in Fergusson Drive, St. Andrew's in Tawai Street, Iona in Ebdentown Street and the church in Wallaceville joined with Wesley Methodist Church in Martin Street to become the Upper Hutt Co-operating Parish, using the Martin Street property. This is known as the Wesley Centre and the hall built behind it with money from the sale of St. David's Church is known as St. David's Hall. In 1993 the Upper Hutt Co-operating Parish changed its name to Upper Hutt Uniting Parish.
Although the church was opened in 1879 it is believed a Presbyterian Sunday School had already been operating in the Rose of Sharon Lodge Hall for about 18 months prior to that.
In 1899 St David's purchased two acres of land at the top of the Wallaceville Hill to be used as a Presbyterian Cemetery.
The church hall foundation was laid in 1955, and the hall opened in February 1959. Around the same time as the hall opening, repairs to the church saw the belfry removed.
Over the years due to population growth St David's established further preaching places at Whiteman's Valley (1893), St Margaret's, Silverstream (1930), St Andrew's, Trentham (1933) and Iona, Ebentown (c1957). In time most of these areas became separate parishes.
Ref: Recollect: Upper Hutt City Library website.
In 1976, the Presbyterian churches of St. David's in Fergusson Drive, St. Andrew's in Tawai Street, Iona in Ebdentown Street and the church in Wallaceville joined with Wesley Methodist Church in Martin Street to become the Upper Hutt Co-operating Parish, using the Martin Street property. This is known as the Wesley Centre and the hall built behind it with money from the sale of St. David's Church is known as St. David's Hall. In 1993 the Upper Hutt Co-operating Parish changed its name to Upper Hutt Uniting Parish.
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St Davids Presbyterian Church, 713 Fergusson Drive, Upper Hutt
Recollect: Upper Hutt City Council Library Heritage Collections |
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Upper Hutt's original Methodist church was a building brought from Whiteman's Valley in 1928.
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Wallaceville Presbyterian 100 years
The church, built in 1893, is on Whiteman's Valley Road, near the junction with Wallaceville Road and Mangaroa Valley Road. This photo was taken at the centennial celebrations and was on the front page of The Leader newspaper on 1 November 1993. The church was closed and sold in 2002.
Ref: Recollect: Upper Hutt City Library |
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From Quiet Homes and First Beginning
In 1976, at the time of uniting, M.E. Evans wrote a history of the Presbyterian and Methodist churches in Upper Hutt.
The Millennial Project Interviews
In 2000-01, Rev. Elaine Bolitho conducted a massive oral history project, interviewing 54 members of the Upper Hutt Uniting Parish and sharing faith stories. People talked about being part of the parish and their experiences when it became a co-operating venture.
Online records held at the National Library. View here.
Online records held at the National Library. View here.
