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 | £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 Anglican chapel. It is part of St John's College in Meadowbank, Auckland, New Zealand. This chapel is special because it's the oldest church building still standing in Auckland!
Contents
A Look Back: Chapel History
When Was the Chapel Built?
Building the Chapel of St John the Evangelist started in March 1847. It was finished and officially opened in November 1847. Bishop Selwyn led the special ceremony to open it.
Who Designed the Chapel?
The chapel was designed by an architect named Frederick Thatcher. It cost about £330 to build, which was a lot of money back then!
Is the Chapel Still Important Today?
Yes, it is! On June 23, 1983, the New Zealand Historic Places Trust officially recognized it as a Category I historic place. This means it's a very important historical site. The chapel is still used today at St John's Theological College.
What Does the Chapel Look Like?
Building Materials and Shape
The Chapel was built using strong New Zealand timbers: kauri and tōtara wood. It also has a sturdy stone base. The building has a cross shape, which is called "cruciform." It has rounded ends at both the east and west sides.
Special Design Features
You can see the timber frame on the outside of the chapel. This was a design choice that Frederick Thatcher later stopped using in his other church buildings. The Chapel of St John the Evangelist is one of the earliest examples of a "Selwyn Church." These churches are known for their steep roofs and windows that look like those from early English churches. They also have very carefully planned sizes and shapes.
Changes and Additions Over Time
The Belfry and Extensions
In the early 1870s, a bell tower, called a belfry, was added to the chapel. This was designed by Archdeacon Philip Walsh. Later, in 1959, the chapel was made longer by adding 10 feet to the west side. This new part was built with the same kauri and tōtara wood to match the original building. An extra room, called a vestry, was also added on the north side.
Memorials and Special Items
Inside the chapel, you can find several special windows. These windows remember people who were connected to the college. The altar, which is a table used for services, was added in 1934. The candlesticks on the altar are made from wood that came from a very old church in England called St Botolph's Church in Boston. The chapel's bell is also unique; it was made from metal from bells that used to be in York Minster, a famous cathedral in England.
