The memorial tablet in Christ Church, Papakura.
Christ Church First World War memorial sanctuary
On 4 August 1923 Bishop A.W. Averill consecrated the First World War memorial sanctuary at Christ Church Anglican Church, Papakura. The sanctuary was the first major alteration made to the original Selwyn church since it had been opened in October 1862. A tablet of Oamaru stone inscribed with the names of the fallen from the parochial district was built into one wall of the sanctuary.
The sanctuary was intended to form the first part of a new stone church. However, instead a new parish centre combining both church and hall was opened next door in December 1961. The original church was retained and preserved as a memorial chapel. Known as the Selwyn chapel, it was rededicated after extensive renovations in 1981.
Sources:
‘Memorial at Papakura’, NZ Herald, 26/4/1921, p. 6; ‘Papakura Anglicans’, NZ Herald, 6/8/1923, p. 9; ‘Memorial Sanctuary’, Franklin Times, 10/8/1923, p. 4; ‘Memorial Sanctuary’, Church Gazette, vol. 53, no. 9, September 1923, p. 147; M.J. Mills, The Anglican Church in the Papakura District, 1862-1962, Papakura, 1962, pp. 20-2; C.R. Knight, The Selwyn Churches of Auckland, Wellington, 1972, pp. 71-5.
Community contributions