St. Paul's Church, Papanui, is a handsome wooden building of much architectural beauty, and is ornamented with a fine spire. The interior is comparatively plain, but the rich glowing colouring of the numerous stained glass windows and beautiful chancel combine to form a pleasing and impressive picture. The church stands within a well kept cemetery, where many prominent pioneer settlers are buried. St. Paul's possesses a fine peal of five bells, the gift of the late Mr. John H. Matson, who was so long connected with the church. In 1880 Mr. Matson presented a peal of bells which were lost in the ill-fated “Knowsley Hall” on their way out. Fortunately they were insured, and he spent a portion of the insurance money in laying gas on to the church, and he also ordered a fresh peal, which was duly hung in the tower in 1880. When the early settlers arrived, Papanui had about seventy acres of native bush, consisting of red and white pine and totara. This timber attracted sawyers who carried on a considerable industry, which led to the district receiving its present name from the fact of the Maoris terming the sawn timber papanui; papa, flat, and nui, a board; Papanui. In 1853 the first church was built from timber cut in this bush and presented by the late Mr. Brittan. This old structure was sold and removed in 1876 to make room for the present church, and it still does duty as a blacksmith's shop on the opposite side of the street. The first services were conducted by the Rev. Edward Puckle, who then resided at Heathcoat; and the first entry in the baptismal register was that of Randolph Theodore Chaney, who was born on board the ship “Randolph” on the 10th of September, 1850, and baptised by the Rev. Mr. Puckle with three other children. Since then the district has advanced in material prosperity; it has now a large and increasing population, and has given birth to two daughter parishes, namely, Merivale, which originally formed a portion of Papanui parish, and Belfast, which, was created a separate parish in 1890.