In the early 1850’s it is known that Bishop
Selwyn (the first Bishop of New Zealand) and Bishop Patterson used to be rowed across the
harbour to conduct Divine Service on a Sunday morning in the home of Mr Alex Alison. In
September 1855 a group of settlers pledged themselves to providing for the erection of a
"building to be used as a Church and schoolroom". It was reported that there
were 16 children who were requiring school tuition. On 26th March 1856, Mr. Alexander
Alison acknowledged receipt of £152 and five shillings being the amount agreed upon for
the erection of the schoolroom and dwelling house for the teacher. The Bishop was
approached and on 18th May 1856 the Rev. Edward Heywood was appointed to officiate as
Minister and Schoolmaster.
The first building stood at the junction of Church Street and Vauxhall Road and the
church subsequently purchased the land from Captain Burgess. The Parish Hall built in
1911, now stands on the site.
The first Holy Trinity Church was built in 1865 during the time of Rev. T. Kerr, an
ex-naval officer. It was built where the present Holy Trinity Church now stands. It had seating
accommodation for 180 people and cost £617 to build.
A Sunday school was built alongside and parallel to the Church in 1872. This was used
later as a hall for a short time and was then moved to Bayswater in 1911, to become the
present "St. Michaels and all Angels" (Bayswater Avenue), after the new
(present) Parish Hall was built.
The present Holy Trinity Church was built over a period of approximately 5 years. The
first stage comprised the building of the present Sanctuary and Chancel, which was added
to the older existing Church of 1865. In 1886 the nave of the present Church was built
over the 1865 Church, and the older Church removed. The building was completed and
dedicated on 15th April 1886.
The first Vicarage, a two storey Tudor style house was built near the front of the
property in 1887.
In 1930 the brick church of St.
Augustine’s at Stanley Bay, was built in memory of those who gave their lives in
the 1914-1918 War.
In 1967 the present Vicarage was built and the 1887 Vicarage was demolished because of
its unsuitableness for repair and refurbishing.
An extension was added to the Church Hall in 1990 when the Parish lounge was built.
