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The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Otago & Southland Provincial Districts]
About The Year 1870
About The Year 1870 a meeting was held to consider the steps to be taken for building a Baptist Church in Caversham. Two years later the stone building now used as a schoolroom in the Main South road was erected at a cost of £500, and was afterwards enlarged at a cost of £500. This church was used for many years as the church of the Caversham Baptists. Owing to a divison amongst the members of the church the wooden building in John Street was erected at a cost of nearly £900, and services were held in both churches until 1895, when an amalgamation between the two congregations took place. Since then the older church has been used as a schoolroom. The church in John street is capable of accommodating about 300 people, and has an average congregation of 200. Over 200 children attend the Sunday school; the church and school each possess an American organ, and steps are being taken to collect funds for a pipe organ. The first minister was the Rev. Decimus Dolamore, who was succeeded by the Rev. A. V. G. Chandler.