On Sunday 24 September around 45 people gathered together in the St Paul’s historic Anglican Church in Arrowtown to celebrate 150 years since the church was built.

The service was led by The Reverend Dr Michael Godfrey and Archdeacon of the Rural South Ven Barb Walker.

Rev'd Michael Godfrey, Interim Priest In Charge of the Wakatipu Parish gives some historical background... and a flavour of how the 150th celebrations went.

150 Years Ago

In 1872 the diocese was expanding rapidly. Bishop Nevill, all but crowing, announced new churches at Arrowtown, Palmerston, Roxburgh, and Warrington. Liturgical services were happening across the diocese in places as diverse as “Head of Lake” (now Glenorchy, receiving a “missionary journey twice a year”), Skipper’s Point (a lay-reader led liturgy each Sunday afternoon and Holy Communion quarterly), Macetown (a lay-reader led liturgy each Sunday evening and Holy Communion quarterly), Martins Bay, (a missionary journey once a year; it is now better known for an exquisite Lodge for traversers of the Hollyford Track), and Pukeuri Point, north of Oamaru (“once every fortnight,” with no further explanation). Of these, Glenorchy still receives regular Eucharist, and liturgies from the Roman Catholic and Presbyterian ministries.

And then came Arrowtown!

By 1873 two sections of land in Arrowtown, probably first gifted by the Provincial Government, were in the hands of the tiny Parish of Wakatipu. Two recipients of the land, Henry Holmden, a settler, and Elias De la Perelle, a blacksmith, had for little more than a token purchase price, handed it over to the then Church of England.

By late September a chain of worship in the small, beautiful church of St. Paul, Arrowtown, had begun. That chain of worship and devotion remains unbroken. 150 years after the first service 45 worshippers gathered for a regular Sunday eucharist. Several were descendants of Elias De la Perelle, including two clergy, sisters the Rev’d Jenny Tapsell and the Ven. Barb Walker. Jenny delivered one of the set readings for the day, and Archdeacon Barb led the intercessions and assisted interim priest Michael Godfrey, acting as liturgical deacon. A second reading was delivered by Mrs Trish Hamilton, long-standing member and former warden of the parish. Dr. Donald Cullington, erstwhile Cathedral organist, and local soloist and former Mayoress Sally Geddes, delivered the music with heart and soul.

The contemporary liturgy incorporated three traditional and one more modern hymn; the former to reflect the continuity of the gospel, the latter, Kendrick’s “God of the Poor,” to call to mind the timeless Christ-imperative common to De la Perelle’s world and our own.

Oh – and then cake was cut and conviviality shared! Thanks to all who made a time of laughter and of tears a God-blessed event.

More from Rev'd Barb Walker ...

Descendants of Elias and Helen de la Perrelle attended this service including Barb and Rev Jenny Tapsell along with their siblings and cousins. Elias was one of the trustees who was instrumental in getting the church built 150 years ago.

Barb thanked the parishioners of the parish for their warm welcome and the contribution they and others have made, still and will do to, keep St Paul’s a sacred and special place for all people in the years to come.

(Above) de la Perrelle whanau gathered in the de la Perrelle park to pay tribute to Elias and Helen de la Perrelle and to acknowledge the contribution both of them made to Arrowtown during 1863-1890s. The park is name after Philip de la Perrelle , a parliamentarian and Government minister who was Elias and Helen’s son.