St James Church, Franz Josef facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St James' Church |
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St James' Church in 2020
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| 43°23′27″S 170°10′52″E / 43.39083°S 170.18111°E | |
| Country | New Zealand |
| Denomination | Anglican |
| History | |
| Status | Church |
| Founded | February 1931 |
| Founder(s) | Governor-General, Lord Bledisloe |
| Dedication |
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| Consecrated | 26 April 1931 by Bishop West-Watson |
| Architecture | |
| Architect(s) |
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| Architectural type | Church |
| Style | Tudor Revival Selwynesque |
| Construction cost | NZ£1,400 |
| Specifications | |
| Capacity | 100 people |
| Administration | |
| Parish | Ross and South Westland |
| Diocese | Christchurch |
| Province | Anglican Church in Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia |
St James' Church is a special Anglican church in Franz Josef, New Zealand. It is located on the West Coast of the South Island. Built in 1931, it has a unique design called Tudor Revival. The church is famous for its clear glass windows. These windows offer amazing views over the Waiho Gorge. When the church was first built, you could even see the Franz Josef Glacier from the altar. This beautiful view was even featured on a special stamp in 1946. However, the glacier has since moved back, so it's not always visible now.
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Why Was St James' Church Built?
The area around Franz Josef became a church parish in 1867. But it took a long time for someone to suggest building a church there. In 1925, a local vicar named Reverend James R. Young had an idea. He wanted to build a church using stones from the river.
Choosing the Location and Design
Two well-known climbing guides, Peter and Alec Graham, gave some land for the church. An architect named Maurice Guthrie drew up the first plans. But these plans were too expensive for the nine Anglican families living in the area.
In 1927, Archdeacon Julius visited the West Coast. He suggested building a wooden church instead. He also thought it should have great views of the Waiho River and the Franz Josef Glacier. So, new plans were made in 1928 by James S. Turnbull and Percy Watts Rule.
How Was St James' Church Built?
Work on the church started in March 1930 when the building site was cleared. The actual construction began in 1931. A company called Bullock and Stewart was chosen to build it.
Laying the Foundation Stone
The Governor-General, Lord Bledisloe, laid the first stone. This important event happened in early February 1931. The church cost about £1000 to £1400 to build.
The Dedication Ceremony
The church was officially opened on April 26, 1931. Bishop West-Watson from Christchurch led the ceremony. Reverend James R. Young, who first suggested the church, was also there. About 150 people came to the dedication. The church was named St James, partly to honor James Young for his hard work.
What Does St James' Church Look Like?
The church has a special style called 'Selwynesque' or Tudor. Its walls are made of wood planks with thin strips over the gaps. The roof is made of corrugated iron. There is also a bell tower that looks like a castle.
Unique Features of the Church
The church has a very distinct look. Dark brown paint highlights the wooden parts outside and the roof beams inside. Instead of colorful stained glass, it has three clear glass windows behind the altar. These windows look out over the Waiho River.
When the church was built, you could see the Franz Josef Glacier from these windows. But by 1953, the glacier had moved back. For a while, from 1985 to 2006, the glacier grew again. By 1997, you could see it through the altar window once more. But it has since retreated again.
St James' Church in History
St James' Church has inspired other famous buildings. The well-known Church of the Good Shepherd at Lake Tekapo also has clear glass windows. This idea came from St James' Church.
A Church on a Stamp
The church became famous across New Zealand. Its view from the altar to the mountains was shown on a special stamp. This stamp, called A Spirit of Thankfulness, was issued in 1946. It celebrated the end of World War Two.
Protecting a Historic Building
On June 28, 1990, St James' Church was recognized as a very important historic building. It was listed as a Category I structure by Heritage New Zealand. People think it's special because it fits so well with the surrounding nature. Its clear glass windows behind the altar are also a key feature.
Protecting the Church from Floods
In December 1995, a lot of rain fell, about 750 millimeters in three days. This caused the Waiho River to flood. The river bank came very close to the church, just 6 meters away! To protect the church and a nearby bridge, a big project was done in 1996. It cost $300,000 to build protections against future floods.
Images for kids
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The foundation stone of the church.
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A view in 1998 through the main window of St James' Church, looking across the Waiho River with Franz Josef Glacier in the distance.
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The path leading to the church.
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Inside the church.
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The outside of the church, showing the altar cross.
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These two photos show how the Waiho River changed between 1936 and 2018, seen from St James' Church.
