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St James is temporarily closed to the public due to structural issues.
The site for the Church was given to the District of Ardmore, then known as Wairoa Road in 1863. This was donated by the late Mr Joseph Golding, an early resident prior to 1858. The first Church built by the residents was free of debt and was dedicated and named St Peter's on December 29th 1861 at 3.00pm. All Souls Wairoa, now Clevedon was dedicated by Bishop Selwyn on the same day at 11.00 am. The date of the dedication was verified from entries in the diary of the late Rev Vicesimus Lush who at that time, was in charge of the parish of Howick. The building named St Peter's served the Christian needs of the residents for 31 years. When on January 29, 1892 it was burnt in the path of a scrub fire. The vestry met and decided to build at once. In April, 3 months later, a tender was accepted, the building to be roofed in Kauri shingles. This work was satisfactorily completed at a cost of £265.00. By September 11, 1893 the new Church was in use. This Church was dedicated by Bishop Cowie on April 10, 1894 and named St James'. The Church gazette of 1873, records an entry that on Sunday the 22nd December 1879, Bishop Selwyn consecrated a piece of ground close to the Churches of Wairoa and Wairoa Road for the burial of the dead. |
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1863
These were troubled times during the Maori wars when three local farmers lost their lives. Through this time the Rev Lush ministered in the parish travelling alone on his horse Hine. He was evidently respected as the Maoris never molested him.
The settlers built the first school in the Church grounds near the now Clevedon Road. This was closed for two years and used with the Church for the safety of women and children. Again Rev Lush's diary records an entry in 1865 of the school reopening. A teacher appointed and a school house to be erected. This house was erected by a Mr Creighton for £50.00.
The school was in use until 1875 when the Eduction Board erected a school on the present school site under a changed name. Through a suggestion by a Rev Hall to the Education Board that; as there were too many Wairoas, as a tribute to the Burnside family who had named their property after their fathers estate in Ireland, Ardmore derived its name.
1961
On Friday December 19th 1961, St James' celebrated the centennial of the Church in Ardmore, by a very special celebration by Bishop Gowing. The Primate and Archbishop of New Zealand, the Most Rev N A Lesser giving the sermon.
1981
St James' Church now listed in the Historic Buildings Trust in Manukau City.
1984
On December 29th Ardmore has been ministered by many clergy for 123 years.
This building of St James' was 90 years on the 30th April 1984.
These were troubled times during the Maori wars when three local farmers lost their lives. Through this time the Rev Lush ministered in the parish travelling alone on his horse Hine. He was evidently respected as the Maoris never molested him.
The settlers built the first school in the Church grounds near the now Clevedon Road. This was closed for two years and used with the Church for the safety of women and children. Again Rev Lush's diary records an entry in 1865 of the school reopening. A teacher appointed and a school house to be erected. This house was erected by a Mr Creighton for £50.00.
The school was in use until 1875 when the Eduction Board erected a school on the present school site under a changed name. Through a suggestion by a Rev Hall to the Education Board that; as there were too many Wairoas, as a tribute to the Burnside family who had named their property after their fathers estate in Ireland, Ardmore derived its name.
1961
On Friday December 19th 1961, St James' celebrated the centennial of the Church in Ardmore, by a very special celebration by Bishop Gowing. The Primate and Archbishop of New Zealand, the Most Rev N A Lesser giving the sermon.
1981
St James' Church now listed in the Historic Buildings Trust in Manukau City.
1984
On December 29th Ardmore has been ministered by many clergy for 123 years.
This building of St James' was 90 years on the 30th April 1984.