Chapel of St John the Evangelist, Auckland facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Chapel of St John the Evangelist |
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| Collegiate Chapel of St John the Evangelist | |
The chapel in c. 1900
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| 36°52′25.61″S 174°50′29.18″E / 36.8737806°S 174.8414389°E | |
| Country | New Zealand |
| Denomination | Anglican |
| History | |
| Status | Chapel |
| Dedication | John the Evangelist |
| Consecrated | 1847 by Bishop Selwyn |
| Architecture | |
| Functional status | Active |
| Architect(s) | Frederick Thatcher |
| Architectural type | Church |
| Completed | 1847 |
| Construction cost | NZ£330 |
| Specifications | |
| Materials | Kauri and tōtara timber |
| Administration | |
| Diocese | Auckland |
| Province | Anglican Church in Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia |
The Chapel of St John the Evangelist is a very old and important church building in Auckland, New Zealand. It's part of St John's College in a suburb called Meadowbank. This special chapel is the oldest church building still standing in Auckland! It's a place where people of the Anglican faith worship.
Contents
Discovering St John's Chapel
The Chapel of St John the Evangelist is a beautiful and historic building. It's known formally as the Collegiate Chapel of St John the Evangelist. A chapel is a small church or a special place for worship. This one is located at St John's College.
The chapel is a very important part of New Zealand's history. It has been officially listed as a heritage site. This means it's protected because of its historical value.
Building a Historic Place
Building of the chapel started in March 1847. It was finished and officially opened later that same year. A very important person named Bishop Selwyn consecrated, or blessed, the chapel.
The chapel was designed by an architect named Frederick Thatcher. It cost about 330 New Zealand pounds to build. That was a lot of money back then! The chapel was made using strong New Zealand timbers. These included kauri and tōtara wood.
Special Features and Changes
Over the years, the chapel has had some additions. In the early 1870s, a belfry was added. A belfry is a tower or part of a building where bells are hung.
In 1959, the chapel was made bigger. It was extended towards the west. The new parts were built to match the original design. They even used the same types of kauri and tōtara timber.
The altar inside the chapel is from 1934. The altar is a special table used for religious ceremonies. The candlesticks on the altar are also unique. They are made from wood that came from St Botolph's Church in Boston, England.
The chapel's bell has an interesting story too. It was made from metal that came from bells. These original bells were once in York Minster, a very famous church in England.
A Protected Landmark
Because of its age and importance, the chapel is a protected site. On June 23, 1983, it was registered as a Category I historic place. This was done by the New Zealand Historic Places Trust. Being a Category I site means it has the highest level of historical significance. It's a true treasure of New Zealand's past.
