Church of the Good Shepherd, Christchurch facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Church of the Good Shepherd |
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Church of the Good Shepherd in March 2011
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| 43°32′13″S 172°39′18″E / 43.5370°S 172.6551°E | |
| Location | Phillipstown, Christchurch |
| Country | New Zealand |
| Previous denomination | Anglican |
| History | |
| Status | Church |
| Consecrated | 31 May 1885 |
| Events | 2011 Christchurch earthquake |
| Architecture | |
| Functional status | Demolished (2011) |
| Heritage designation | Category I (prior to demolition) |
| Designated | 2 April 1985 |
| Architect(s) | Benjamin Mountfort |
| Architectural type | Church |
| Style | Gothic Revival |
| Completed | 1885 |
| Demolished | 2011 |
| Specifications | |
| Materials | Brick |
The Church of the Good Shepherd was an old Anglican church in Phillipstown, Christchurch, New Zealand. It was a special building. Sadly, it was pulled down after the big 2011 Christchurch earthquake in 2011.
Before it was demolished, this church was very important. It was the oldest brick church designed by a famous architect named Benjamin Mountfort. He lived from 1825 to 1898. The church was also listed as a "Historic Place – Category I" by Heritage New Zealand. This meant it was a very important historical site.
Contents
History of the Church
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Building the Church
The idea for the church started in 1881. A local vicar, Rev Hannibal James Congdon Gilbert, worked with an accountant and a storeman. They bought the land for the church for £380. In 1883, they sold the land to the Church Property Trustees for a very small fee.
The church was built in 1885. It was designed in the Gothic Revival style. This style was popular in England at the time. The church was made of red brick with bands of contrasting stone.
The Architect Benjamin Mountfort
The church was designed by Benjamin Mountfort. He was a very famous architect. He also designed a similar but larger church called St Johns Cathedral in Napier. That church was built between 1886 and 1888.
However, St Johns Cathedral was destroyed by the 1931 Hawke's Bay earthquake. This meant the Church of the Good Shepherd became Mountfort's only surviving brick church. It was a unique example of his work.
Changes Over Time
In 1906 and 1907, Benjamin Mountfort's son, Cyril Mountfort, helped to make the church bigger. He oversaw the extension of the building.
Earthquake Damage and Demolition
The church faced some tough times. In September 2010, an earthquake caused slight damage to its roof parts called gables. Later that month, the inside of the church was badly damaged by vandalism.
The worst damage happened in February 2011 during the major 2011 Christchurch earthquake. This earthquake caused serious structural damage to the church. Because of this damage, the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority decided the church had to be pulled down. It was demolished later that year.
Why the Church Was Special
On 2 April 1985, the Church of the Good Shepherd was officially listed as a Category I historic place. This listing was given by the New Zealand Historic Places Trust. Its special number was 1855.
The church was important because it was the only brick church designed by Benjamin Mountfort that was still standing. It showed his unique architectural style and was a piece of New Zealand's history.
Images for kids
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Church of the Good Shepherd after demolition
