Okains Bay Church Rebuild

The Okains Bay Church is one of the oldest remaining Churches in the Anglican Diocese of Christchurch and the 2nd oldest stone Church in Canterbury with a Historic Places Trust Category 2 listing.

On New Year’s Day 1863 the first Vicar, the Rev. Henry Torlesse laid the first foundation stone, whose inscription is carved into the stone. It was then built by stonemason Mr. Morey, using mostly local materials such as stone from the creek and quarry, timber milled in the bay and locally made bricks. The white stone came from Quail Island, Welsh slate and stained glass from the United Kingdom.

Many of the materials where donated and so we hope to call upon the good nature of people once again to please "give a little" for this beautiful, historic Church.

The Church Property Trustees are Project managing the rebuild and we as a community committee are trying hard to help, with our first fundraiser (harvesting firewood from felled tress from the campground) held during September 2018 we are now in the process of organising our next fundraising efforts which are already underway.

Once repaired, we hope around 2020 the church will be administered by the community of Okains Bay for use by the Parish and other faiths in this tranquil setting.