Oxford Terrace Baptist Church facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Oxford Terrace Baptist Church |
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Oxford Terrace Baptist Church in 2020
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| 43°31′38″S 172°38′35″E / 43.5273°S 172.6430°E | |
| Country | New Zealand |
| Denomination | Baptist |
| History | |
| Status | Church |
| Architecture | |
| Functional status | Active |
| Architectural type | Church |
| Style | Modernist |
| Completed | 24 December 2017 |
| Construction cost | NZ$8.5 million |
| Specifications | |
| Capacity | 250 people |
| Oxford Terrace Baptist Church (former) | |
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The building after the collapse caused by the February 2011 Christchurch earthquake
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| 43°31′38″S 172°38′35″E / 43.5273°S 172.6430°E | |
| Country | New Zealand |
| Previous denomination | Baptist |
| History | |
| Status | Church (1882 – 2010) |
| Events | |
| Architecture | |
| Functional status | Building collapsed |
| Architect(s) | Edward J. Saunders |
| Architectural type | Church |
| Style | Neoclassical style |
| Completed | 9 July 1882 |
| Construction cost | NZ£3,130 |
| Closed | 4 September 2010 |
| Demolished | 22 February 2011 |
| Specifications | |
| Capacity | 600 people |
The Oxford Terrace Baptist Church is a Baptist church in Christchurch Central City, New Zealand. It sits on a special corner next to the Avon River. This church is part of the Baptist Churches of New Zealand.
The first church building was badly damaged in the 2010 Canterbury earthquake. It then completely fell down during the big February 2011 Christchurch earthquake. This old building was once listed as a historic place. A brand new church building opened its doors on Christmas Eve in 2017.
Contents
History of the Church
The Baptist group in Christchurch started in 1863. It was formed by 19 settlers who came from England. Decimus Dolamore, who helped set up the Baptist faith in New Zealand, was their first minister. At first, the group met in the town hall on High Street.
In 1864, they built their first church on Lichfield Street. A few years later, in 1867, the group split up. But they came back together in 1870 and built another church on Hereford Street. The group then decided they needed an even bigger place. They bought land for £1,325 on Oxford Terrace and Madras Street, right by the Avon River.
The Old Church Building
An architect named Edward J. Saunders won a contest to design the new church. However, the church members felt the building would cost too much. So, they moved the Hereford Street church building to the new site instead. People found it funny when the church sat on a wagon next to ChristChurch Cathedral for a whole weekend in 1879.
Just three weeks after it arrived, the old building caught fire. But it was fixed and opened again a few months later. This older building was used until 1903, when it caught fire again.
Building the New Church
In August 1881, they asked for bids to build the new church. The prices were too high, from £3,956 to £5,337. In September 1881, a new bid of £3,130 from Morey and McHale was accepted. Reverend C. Dallaston placed the first stone on October 14, 1881. The church was finished and opened on July 9, 1882.
At that time, it was the largest Baptist church in New Zealand. An organ was brought from England and put in the church in 1915.
Earthquake Damage and Demolition
The main church building was badly damaged in the 2010 Canterbury earthquake on September 4, 2010. It then completely fell apart in the February 22, 2011 earthquake. The building was taken down in late June 2011 after more damage from the June 2011 Christchurch earthquake on June 13, 2011.
Historic Listing of the Old Church
On September 10, 2004, the old church was listed as a Category II historic place by the New Zealand Historic Places Trust. Its special design, called Neoclassical architecture, was unusual for Christchurch. This church had the last remaining temple-style front in the city.
In 2011, Peter Beck, a church leader, said the Oxford Terrace Baptist Church was one of the "iconic churches of the city." After the 2011 Christchurch earthquakes, the building was removed from the historic list. It was then called "Lost Heritage."
The Current Church Building
The empty space where the old church stood was used for a temporary art project. This art was created by Peter Majendie and shown on the first anniversary of the February 2011 earthquake. The art was called Reflection of Loss of Lives, Livelihoods and Living in Neighbourhood. It used 185 white chairs, all different shapes, to remember the 185 people who died. This artwork became known as 185 empty chairs.
Within a year, the art moved to a new spot. In 2017, people started talking about making the artwork a permanent display.
In March 2016, The Press newspaper announced that a new, modern church building was approved. This project cost NZ$8.5 million. The new building has two floors and an auditorium that can hold 250 people. The church was officially reopened on Christmas Eve in 2017.
Gallery
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View of the church in 1885. The wooden building on the left is the older church transported to here from the Hereford Street site
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Oxford Terrace Baptist Church in 2008
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View of the church after the 2010 Canterbury earthquake, with props holding up the facade
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Installation of 185 empty chairs
