Title: The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Otago & Southland Provincial Districts]

Author: Cyclopedia Company Limited

Publication details: The Cyclopedia Company, Limited, 1905, Christchurch

Part of: The Cyclopedia of New Zealand

License: Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 New Zealand Licence

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St. Paul's is the oldest Presbyterian church in Oamaru. As early as February, 1864, a meeting of the congregation was held in the schoolhouse, and it was decided to erect a church capable of seating 500 persons. The foundation stone was laid on the 10th of November, 1864, and the original building, situated in Coquet Street, was opened early in 1865. The present building, which was erected from plans prepared by Mr. T. Forrester on the model of Salisbury Cathedral, was completed in 1875, and the foundation walls of the first building were utilised, as far as practicable. The building is of fine Oamaru stone; it cost between £4000 and £500, and has seating accommodation for nearly 800 persons. The congregation varies from 400 on Sunday morning to 600 in the evening. In connection with the church, there is a fine Sunday school, with 300 scholars and twenty-six teachers. The manse is ahandsome two-storied building in wood, and stands on a site not far from the church. There is a glebe of about an acre and a half.