Christ Church, Russell facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Christ Church |
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Māori: Te Whare Karakia o Kororareka
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Christ Church in Russell, with its historic graveyard, in 2001
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| 35°15′47.6″S 174°07′24.8″E / 35.263222°S 174.123556°E | |
| Country | New Zealand |
| Denomination | Anglican |
| History | |
| Status | Church |
| Dedicated | c. 1870s |
| Architecture | |
| Functional status | Active |
| Architectural type | Church |
| Completed | 1835 |
Christ Church (which is called Māori: Te Whare Karakia o Kororareka in Māori) is the oldest church still standing in New Zealand. You can find it in the small village of Russell.
This Anglican church was built in 1835. A man named Gilbert Mair led the building work. Charles Baker, who later became a Reverend, helped supervise. When it first opened, church services were held in both English and Māori. Sometimes, the church was even used as the local courthouse!
Christ Church is a very important historic building. Heritage New Zealand officially listed it as a Category I heritage site on 24 November 1983.
A Look Back: The 1800s
In the early 1800s, Russell was known as Kororareka. It was a busy port where whalers would stop for safety. The land for the church was bought in 1834 from local Māori chiefs. They agreed to sell it only if both Māori and Pākehā (non-Māori) people could be buried there.
Did you know that Charles Darwin helped pay for the church? He visited Russell in 1835 on his famous ship, HMS Beagle. Even though he thought the town was a bit wild, he was very impressed by the church. He called it "a bold experiment." Darwin, Captain Fitzroy, and other officers from the Beagle all gave money to help build it.
The church was built in 1835 with a simple design. It had a hipped roof, which slopes on all four sides. At first, missionaries had to row across the harbour from Paihia to lead services. The very first service was held on 3 January 1836 by William Williams. As mentioned, services were held in both English and Māori. The church also served as a courthouse sometimes.
On 30 January 1840, Captain William Hobson held an important meeting at the church. He met with both Māori and Pākehā leaders. Here, he announced that New Zealand would be governed through New South Wales. He would be the new Lieutenant Governor of New Zealand. More talks about the Treaty of Waitangi happened a week later in Waitangi.
In 1845, the church was damaged during the Battle of Kororareka. You can still see marks from musket balls and cannon fire on its walls. A brave Māori chief named Tāmati Wāka Nene fought alongside the British in this battle. He is buried in the church's graveyard.
In the early 1870s, the church got its current name, Christ Church. It was also made bigger with a belfry, which is a tower for bells.
Christ Church in the 1900s
In the early 1900s, priests from Kawakawa looked after Christ Church. From 1953, priests from Kerikeri took over.
In 1963, a very special visit happened! Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip came to see the church. Later, in 1986, New Zealand's Prime Minister David Lange and Sir Paul Reeves attended the church's 150th anniversary celebration.
The church was officially listed as a Category I historic place on 24 November 1983. This was done by the New Zealand Historic Places Trust, which is now called Heritage New Zealand.
Christ Church Today
In 2000, the church was carefully restored. Today, it's not just a place of worship but also a popular spot for tourists. Christ Church is still used every week for Anglican services, usually on Sundays at 10:30 AM. Some services are even held in Te Reo Māori. It's also a beautiful place for weddings, funerals, and other special events.
Many people believe that Christ Church is the oldest building in New Zealand that is still used for its original purpose.
Images for kids
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Christ Church in Russell, with its historic graveyard, in 2001
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Tāmati Wāka Nene's memorial in the Christ Church graveyard.
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Interior of Christ Church.
