Kaikorai Presbyterian Church facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Kaikorai Presbyterian Church
Kaikorai Presbyterian Church in 2008
Location	127 Taieri Road (cnr Nairn Street) Dunedin
Country	New Zealand
Denomination	Presbyterian
Website	www.kaikoraichurch.co.nz
History
Founded	1868

Kaikorai Presbyterian Church is a Presbyterian church. It is part of the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand. You can find it in Kaikorai, a suburb of Dunedin, New Zealand.

A Long History: From Bush Tracks to Church

Kaikorai Presbyterian Church has been at the corner of Taieri Road and Nairn Street since 1868. But its story began much earlier. As far back as 1852, pioneer families walked through bush and muddy roads. They went to weekly prayer meetings. These meetings first happened in Hood Hall. Later, they moved to Wakari School.

Early Gatherings at Wakari School

A minister from Knox Church preached every week at Wakari School. The community soon realized they needed their own church building. The Wakari School Committee asked for a church to be built in the area.

Building the First Church

People worked hard and raised £477. This money helped build a simple wooden church. It had a shingle roof. The land for the church was a gift from Miss Helen Hood. At first, it was called 'Wakari Church'. But because of its location, the name Kaikorai became more fitting. The first service was held in 1866. This church was like a daughter church to Knox Church.

Growing Together: New Buildings and Independence

The church community grew quickly. By 1868, they became an independent church. This meant they could choose their own minister. Many ministers served the church and the local community. The first church building soon became too small.

The Second Church Building

The community faced this challenge together. They added extensions to the first building. This created a second church in 1880. As the church grew, so did the area around it. New things like the Roslyn Mills and the Roslyn and Kaikorai cable cars appeared.

The Third and Current Church

In 1906, the church decided to build a new, larger building. They accepted a bid of £2750 for its construction. The Mayor of Roslyn laid the foundation stone. Underneath this stone is a special time capsule! The third church held its first service in 1907. This is the same brick church that stands today. It was built on the spot where the old wooden church used to be.

What Happened to the Old Church?

The original wooden church was moved to the back of the grounds. It was used as a hall for a while. Later, it was taken down to make space for the current church hall. This hall is used a lot by both the church and the community. Inside the brick church, there are four beautiful stained glass windows. These windows honor the people who helped start the church.

Changes Over Time: Union and Community Support

By 1918, there were many places of worship in the area. People started thinking about joining together. It was not until the church's 100th birthday that it became part of the West Dunedin Union. This union served areas like Wakari, Halfway Bush, Brockville, Kaikorai, and Waitati. These were the same areas where the early settlers came from to worship.

Coming Together with Other Churches

The church also joined with the Roslyn Methodist Church. It also connected with local Congregational and Church of Christ churches. Today, the church is once again known as Kaikorai Presbyterian Church.

Adapting to Modern Times

Over the years, the church has seen many changes in the world. It was there during the Great Depression. During this time, the church quietly helped people who were unemployed. It also lived through two world wars. The church has always adapted to changing times. There were even big discussions about whether organ music should be allowed. Decades later, people debated if dancing should be allowed at Bible Class socials.