The 1869 Christchurch earthquake was an earthquake

Earthquake

An earthquake is the result of a sudden release of energy in the Earth's crust that creates seismic waves. The seismicity, seismism or seismic activity of an area refers to the frequency, type and size of earthquakes experienced over a period of time...

 of approximately magnitude 6 that struck the city of Christchurch

Christchurch

Christchurch is the largest city in the South Island of New Zealand, and the country's second-largest urban area after Auckland. It lies one third of the way down the South Island's east coast, just north of Banks Peninsula which itself, since 2006, lies within the formal limits of...

 at 8:00am local time on the morning of 5 June 1869. The earthquake was believed to have been centred at a shallow depth in Spreydon or Addington

Addington, New Zealand

Addington is a major suburb of Christchurch, New Zealand. It is sited south-west of the city centre.-Description:The suburb was named for the country residence of Bishop John Sumner, one of the leading members of the Canterbury Association....

, and was felt with an intensity of MMI 7–8.

The shock damaged several brick and stone buildings in the city, destroying chimneys and damaging the spire of St John's church in Hereford Street.

The effects of the earthquake on stone buildings such as St. Johns prompted the Church of St Michael and All Angels

Church of St Michael and All Angels, Christchurch

The Church of St Michael and All Angels is an Anglican church in Christchurch, New Zealand. The church building at 84 Oxford Terrace, Christchurch, is registered as Category I by the New Zealand Historic Places Trust. Its freestanding belfry is registered separately.-History:The structure stands on...

to be built using timber.