Christ Church, Taita facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Christ Church
Christ Church, Taitā
41°10′56″S 174°57′38″E / 41.18212°S 174.96042°E / -41.18212; 174.96042
Country	New Zealand
Denomination	Anglican
History
Status	Church
Consecrated	1 January 1854
Architecture
Functional status	Active
Architect(s)	Octavius Bousfield
Architectural type	Church
Style	Gothic Revival
Years built	1853
Specifications
Materials	Timber
Administration
Parish	St Matthew's, Taitā
Diocese	Wellington
Province	Anglican Church in Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia

Christ Church is a very old and special Anglican church located in Taitā, which is part of Lower Hutt in the Wellington region of New Zealand. An Anglican church is a type of Christian church. This church is the oldest one still standing in the entire Wellington region, making it a very important historical building.

History of Christ Church

Building the Church

The land where Christ Church stands was generously given by a person named Algernon Grey Tollemache. A skilled carpenter from Yorkshire named Sidney Hirst built the church. He finished constructing the building in late 1853.

Unique Construction Method

This wooden church is quite special because of how it was first built. The original construction method did not need any nails! This makes it a very interesting example of early building techniques.

Protecting Our History

In the 1950s, people worked hard to protect Christ Church. These efforts were so important that they helped create the New Zealand Historic Places Trust. This organization is now called Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga. Its job is to look after important historical places all over New Zealand.

Restoration After Damage

Sadly, in 1989, a fire damaged about a third of the inside of the church. But don't worry! The church was carefully rebuilt and restored. Workers used old photos and architectural drawings to make sure it looked just like it did before the damage.