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Trinity Congregational Church, Christchurch facts for kids

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Trinity Church (former)
Trinity Congregational Church (former)
Christchurch Earthquake 220211.jpg
The collapsed former Trinity Church, following the 2011 Christchurch earthquake
43°31′52″S 172°38′22″E / 43.53114°S 172.63942°E / -43.53114; 172.63942
Country New Zealand
Previous denomination Congregationalism
History
Status
  • Church (1864 – 1974)
  • Commercial use (since 1974)
Events
Architecture
Architect(s) Benjamin Mountfort
Architectural type Church
Style Early French Gothic Revival
Years built 1864–1870
Closed 1974 (as a church)
Specifications
Materials Oamaru stone and rubble

The Trinity Church, also known as the Trinity Congregational Church, is a special historic building in Christchurch, New Zealand. It was designed by a famous architect named Benjamin Mountfort. This building is so important that it's listed as a Category I heritage building by Heritage New Zealand.

The church was badly damaged during the 2010 Canterbury earthquake and the big 2011 Christchurch earthquake. Many old buildings in Christchurch were torn down after these quakes. But in 2012, people decided to save the Trinity Church. It was repaired and made stronger to protect it from future earthquakes. Over the years, the building has been used for different things, including a performing arts centre and a restaurant.

Location and Nearby Landmarks

The Trinity Church building is located in the heart of Christchurch Central City. You can find it on the corner of Worcester and Manchester Streets. It sits on the south-west side of this intersection.

This area is very important because three historic buildings are close together. The Trinity Church, the State Insurance Building, and the Old Government Building all stand side-by-side. These buildings together create a significant historical scene in the city.

History of Trinity Church

The Trinity Church has a long and interesting history, starting in the 1860s.

Early Days of the Church

The Congregational church group first met in Christchurch in 1861. They met in a hall until 1864. Then, four members raised money to buy land for their own church. This land was at the corner of Manchester and Worcester Streets.

The first church building was designed by Samuel Farr. It was made of stone and opened in November 1864. However, by 1870, the church was too small for everyone who wanted to attend. It also had problems with air circulation.

So, they decided to build a new, bigger church. Four architects were asked to submit designs. Even though Samuel Farr was a leader in the church, the design by Benjamin Mountfort was chosen. Mountfort was a very skilled architect, known for his Gothic Revival style. He designed the church to have a large open space for preaching, which was important to the church members.

Changes and New Uses

In the 1960s, the church began to be shared with the Pacific Islanders' Congregational Church. In 1968, these two groups officially joined together. Later, in 1969, the Congregational church in New Zealand combined with the Presbyterian church.

In 1974, the church building was sold to State Insurance because of money problems. The insurance company renamed it the State Trinity Centre. They used it as a place for community performances. The building was also made much stronger to withstand earthquakes. For many years, students in Christchurch took their piano exams there. Later, private owners bought the building and used it as a wedding chapel for tourists.

The Octagon Restaurant Era

In 1993, a man named Alan Slade bought the building. He owned a wedding business and was amazed by the church's beautiful timber ceiling. It took 13 years to restore the building.

In 2006, Slade opened a restaurant called The Octagon. It was a unique place that was both a restaurant and a training spot for music students. The students worked at the restaurant and also performed for the diners. The restaurant's name came from the church's unusual eight-sided (octagonal) floor plan.

The Octagon with bracing 42
The church tower with bracing after the September 2010 Canterbury earthquake

The church building was damaged in the September 2010 Canterbury earthquake. Its tower had to be supported with a large steel frame. Even with the damage, the restaurant reopened quickly. However, a strong aftershock on Boxing Day that year caused more damage.

Then came the devastating 22 February 2011 Christchurch earthquake. This earthquake caused the church's tower to collapse. The building's owner, Alan Slade, had spent a lot of money trying to fix the building before this earthquake. He sadly had to ask for the building to be torn down.

But in June 2012, good news arrived: the building would be saved! It was repaired and made even stronger. In 2012, the building won two awards for its preservation. In 2013, the Christchurch City Council also gave money to help with the restoration.

Building Design

The Trinity Congregational Church was the first stone church designed by Benjamin Mountfort to be built. He used two different types of stone: rough stone rubble and smooth Oamaru stone. This mix of materials creates a striking look, especially on the tower.

The church has an unusual eight-sided (octagonal) floor plan. The timber roof inside is designed in a special way called a "double barrel vault." This design was a clever way to cover the octagonal space. Overall, the building looks like it belongs to the Gothic Revival style, which was popular in the 1800s.

Heritage Status

The Trinity Church building is officially recognized as a heritage building. It was registered by Heritage New Zealand on 2 April 1985. It is now listed as a Category I heritage building, which means it is of the highest historical importance.

See also

  • List of restaurants in New Zealand

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