The church hall complex at St Peter's church in Queenstown (Wakatipu Parish) is undergoing work to ensure it can continue to be available for the Church and Community. Rev'd Dr David Wright reports...

As the founder of the Anglican Church in Queenstown, William Rees built a church in 1863 on the present site.

Later, in 1869, a new Vicarage was built, which is the 2nd oldest wooden building in Queenstown, after the "Williams Cottage" on the waterfront.

A Sunday School building was built in 1905, being the current Hall. These two buildings are joined by an glass atrium and form "The Parish Centre".

Generations have used and continue to use these two heritage buildings: they have wide use by the community, as well as the church itself. As custodians of these buildings we have a duty of care to keep them maintained to ensure their longevity.

No major maintenance has been carried out for over 15 years, and at the August 2019 meeting of the Wakatipu Anglican Vestry, it was unanimously agreed to go ahead and accept a quote from a very experienced Queenstown Builder well versed in Heritage work.

Dave Boden (Bod), from Boden Building, is a local Queenstown builder who has had a lot of experience in the UK with the restoration of old buildings. In Queenstown he has worked on Hulbert House, Williams Cottage on the waterfront and the Closeburn Homestead amongst others. He has a wide knowledge and a team of builders well versed in the workings and intricacies of Heritage buildings.

The work will involve replacement of deteriorating weatherboards, sash windows, repair of the roof and gutters, a full repaint, and complete scaffolding.

To preserve these buildings for the future, and to be able to use them as parish and community assets, they need substantial preservation work which commenced in January 2020. 

If you wish to financially contribute to the project or know anyone with connections to the Parish who would, please check out the parish website, www.stpeters.co.nz or contact Rev'd David Wright vicar@stpeters.co.nz 

Please keep the Wakatipu Parish in your prayers.

See also Wakatipu Anglican Parish 150 Video