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HELP save the old church!!

  • Some history

      5 April 2023

    St Bartholomew's Church was built by the Athol Church Committee in 1928, services previously being held in the old school. It was designed by well-known Invercargill architect Allan C. Ford (1892-1989), who worked for around 50 years from 1920. As well as new buildings, he was also responsible for quite a number of remodelings of older commercial buildings in an Art Deco-influenced style, including the Cambridge Arcade facade, preserved in the recent redevelopment. The church was designed in a more modern style than many others of a similar age, which continued to have a significant neo-Gothic influence. Much support was given to the committee by the vicar, Canon Hoani Parata (based at St. Peter's Church, Queenstown), although he died shortly before the church opened.

    The church was opened on 6 November 1928, by the Bishop of Dunedin, Dr. Isaac Richards. Following the service of dedication, those attending took refreshments in the old Athol Hall. In 1930 the church shifted from being in the Queenstown parish to that of Waimea Plains, based in Lumsden. The 50th anniversary was celebrated in 1978 and the 80th in 2008.

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