St Johns Anglican Church

St Johns Church is located at 130 Edward Street in Wakefield. It is the oldest church in the
South Island of New Zealand and the oldest church in New Zealand in continuous use.
The church holds a Category 1 Rating with Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga. This
determines the church building to be of “outstanding historical significance.”
The church was designed by New Zealand’s first woman architect Marianne Reay and was
built in 1846 by the early settlers. Locally felled and milled totara trees and kahikatea were
used for the construction. As the timber was drying a cat with muddy paws walked across
the planks leaving a trail behind. You can see these cat prints on an area of the ceiling inside
the church.
The first church service was held on October 11 th 1846 with Rev Charles Reay officiating. Rev
Reay had to ride his horse from Nelson across rivers and plains to reach Wakefield. The
church was located on a hill so that it was clearly visible across the Waimea Plains. In early
years a lantern was left burning in the church to guide travellers home – an early GPS.
The churchyard and private cemetery contains graves of early Wakefield settlers and many
registered notable trees.

Traditional services are held every 1st and 3rd Sunday of the month at 9am at St Johns and a more contemporary service is held every week at 10.30am at the Worship Centre at 120 Edward Street, Wakefield.

A variety of activities take place during the week for all ages. Everyone’s welcome to attend these and any our services.