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Christ Church (cathedral), New Zealand
Encyclopedia
The Anglican cathedral of ChristChurch in the city of Christchurch
, New Zealand, was built in the second half of the 19th century. It is located in the centre of the city
, surrounded by Cathedral Square
. It is the cathedral seat of the Bishop of Christchurch in the New Zealand tikanga
of the Anglican Church in Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia
.
The February 2011 Christchurch earthquake destroyed the spire and part of the tower – and severely damaged the structure of the remaining building. The cathedral had been damaged previously by earthquakes in 1881, 1888, 1922, 1901 and 2010.
Since 2002, Peter Beck
has been the dean of the cathedral.
who aimed to build a city around a central cathedral and college in the Canterbury Region based on the English model of Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford
. Henry John Chitty Harper
, the first Bishop of Christchurch, arrived in 1856 and began to drive the cathedral project forward. In 1858 the project was approved by the diocese and a design was commissioned from George Gilbert Scott
, a prolific British architect who was known for his Gothic Revival
churches and public buildings (he later went on to build St Pancras railway station
in London, England, and St Mary's Episcopal Cathedral
in Edinburgh, Scotland). Scott himself never visited Christchurch, but handed over the oversight of the project to Robert Speechley.
The cornerstone was laid on 16 December 1864, but financial problems in the fledgling city saw its completion delayed between 1865 and 1873. At the start of the project, Christchurch was still a small town (its male population numbering only 450), and raising funds for the construction of the cathedral proved to be difficult. Commentators of the time voiced their disappointment at the lack of progress – the novelist Anthony Trollope
visited the town in 1872 and referred to the "vain foundations" as a "huge record of failure".
In 1873 a new resident architect, New Zealander Benjamin Mountfort
, took over the project and construction began again. Mountfort adapted Scott's design, adding tower balconies and the west porch, and decorative details such as the font, pulpit and stained glass. The initial plans called for wooden construction, but were changed with the discovery of a source of good quality masonry stone locally. Banks Peninsula
totara
and matai
timber was used for the roof supports.
The nave—100 feet (30.5 m) long—and tower were consecrated on 1 November 1881, but the transepts, chancel and sanctuary were not finished until 1904. The Christchurch Beautifying Society planted two plane trees
to the south of the cathedral in 1898.
The Rhodes family—which arrived in Canterbury before the First Four Ships—provided funds for the tower and spire. Robert Heaton Rhodes
built the tower in memory of his brother George; and the spire was added by the children of George Rhodes. The cathedral spire reached to 63 metres (206.7 ft) above Cathedral Square. Public access to the spire provided for a good viewpoint over the centre of the city, but the spire has been damaged by earthquakes on four occasions. The tower originally contained a peal of ten bells, cast by John Taylor & Co of Loughborough
, hung in 1881. The original bells were replaced in 1978 by 13 new bells, also cast at Taylors of Loughborough.
In 1894, the widow of Alfred Richard Creyke
arranged for the western porch of the Cathedral to be built in his memory. On the south side of the Cathedral's nave, there is also a Watts-Russell
Memorial Window in memory of her first husband.
The cathedral underwent major renovations during 2006–2007, including the replacement of the original slate roof tiles.
1881: A stone was dislodged from the finial cap, immediately below the terminal cross, by an earthquake in late 1881, within a month of the cathedral's consecration.
1888:Approximately 8 metres of stonework fell as a result of the 1 September 1888 North Canterbury earthquake
. The stone spire was replaced.
1901:The top of the spire fell again as a result of the 16 November 1901 Cheviot earthquake
. This time, the stone construction was replaced with a more resilient structure of Australian hardwood sheathed with weathered copper sheeting, with an internal mass damper
. The repairs were funded by the Rhodes family.
1922:One of the stone crosses fell from the Cathedral during the 25 December 1922 Motunau earthquake.
2010:The 4 September 2010 Canterbury earthquake
caused some superficial damage, and the cathedral was closed for engineering inspections until 22 September 2010, when it was deemed safe to re-open. Some further damage was sustained in the "Boxing Day Aftershock" on 26 December.
2011 February
2011 June
It was announced on 28 October 2011 that the present, damaged structure would be deconsecrated
and at least partially demolished. Whether any parts of the damaged building will be retained and included in a future building will depend on the state of the fabric as determined during demolition.
was made from kauri planks from an old bridge over the Hurunui River
, and includes six carved figures: Samuel Marsden
, Archdeacon Henry Williams
, Tamihana te Rauparaha, Bishop Selwyn, Bishop Harper
, and Bishop Patteson
.
The pulpit, designed by Mountford, commemorates George Augustus Selwyn, the first and only Bishop of New Zealand. Mountford also designed the font, which was donated by Dean Stanley of Westminster Abbey
in memory of his brother, Captain Owen Stanley
of HMS Britomart, who arrived in Akaroa
in 1840.
The Cathedral contains the throne and memorial to Bishop Harper
– first Bishop of Christchurch and the second Primate of New Zealand – who laid the foundation stone of the cathedral in 1864, and preached at the consecration service in 1881. In the west porch are stones from the Christ Church, Canterbury, Christchurch Priory
, Tintern Abbey
, Glastonbury Abbey
, Herod's Temple, St Paul's Cathedral
, and Christ Church, Oxford
.
The north wall includes a mural dado of inlaid marble and encaustic tile
s, donated by the Cathedral Guild in 1885, which includes fylfot
motifs. A memorial window above the mural was donated in memory of Sir Thomas Tancred, Bt
.
The Chapel of St Michael and St George was opened by Governor-General
, Sir Bernard Freyberg VC
on Remembrance Day
, 6 November 1949, and dedicated to Archbishop Campbell West-Watson
.
as a Category I historic place, with the registration number being 46. It is the only church designed by Scott in New Zealand. Its design was significantly influenced by Mountfort. It is a major landmark and tourist attraction, and for many it symbolises the ideals of the early settlers. There are numerous memorial tablets, memorial windows and so forth in the church, acting as a reminder to the early people and the region's history.
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...
, New Zealand, was built in the second half of the 19th century. It is located in the centre of the city
Christchurch Central City
Christchurch Central City is the geographical centre and the heart of Christchurch, New Zealand. It is defined as the area within the four avenues and thus includes the densely built up central city, some less dense surrounding areas of residential, educational and industrial usage, and green...
, surrounded by Cathedral Square
Cathedral Square, Christchurch
Cathedral Square, locally known simply as the Square, is the geographical centre and heart of Christchurch, New Zealand, where the city's Anglican cathedral, ChristChurch Cathedral is located...
. It is the cathedral seat of the Bishop of Christchurch in the New Zealand tikanga
Tikanga Maori
The Māori word tikanga has a wide range of meanings — culture, custom, ethic, etiquette, fashion, formality, lore, manner, meaning, mechanism, method, protocol, style....
of the Anglican Church in Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia
Anglican Church in Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia
The Anglican Church in Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia is a church of the Anglican Communion serving New Zealand, Fiji, Tonga, Samoa, and the Cook Islands...
.
The February 2011 Christchurch earthquake destroyed the spire and part of the tower – and severely damaged the structure of the remaining building. The cathedral had been damaged previously by earthquakes in 1881, 1888, 1922, 1901 and 2010.
Since 2002, Peter Beck
Peter Beck (cleric)
The Very Reverend Peter J. Beck has since 2002 been the dean of ChristChurch Cathedral in Christchurch, New Zealand. Born in England, Beck has been in New Zealand since 1981, and was vicar of St Matthew in the city in Auckland...
has been the dean of the cathedral.
History
The origins of Christchurch Cathedral date back to the plans of the Canterbury AssociationCanterbury Association
The Canterbury Association was formed in order to establish a colony in what is now the Canterbury Region in the South Island of New Zealand.- Formation of the Association :...
who aimed to build a city around a central cathedral and college in the Canterbury Region based on the English model of Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford
Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford
Christ Church Cathedral is the cathedral of the diocese of Oxford, which consists of the counties of Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Berkshire. It is also, uniquely, the chapel of Christ Church, a college of the University of Oxford.-History:...
. Henry John Chitty Harper
Henry John Chitty Harper
The Rt Rev Henry John Chitty Harper, DD was an eminent Anglican Bishop in the second half of the 19th century. He was born on 9 January 1804, educated at The Queen's College, Oxford and ordained in 1832. He was Chaplain of Eton College until 1850 then Vicar of St Mary’s, Stratfield Mortimer...
, the first Bishop of Christchurch, arrived in 1856 and began to drive the cathedral project forward. In 1858 the project was approved by the diocese and a design was commissioned from George Gilbert Scott
George Gilbert Scott
Sir George Gilbert Scott was an English architect of the Victorian Age, chiefly associated with the design, building and renovation of churches, cathedrals and workhouses...
, a prolific British architect who was known for his Gothic Revival
Gothic Revival architecture
The Gothic Revival is an architectural movement that began in the 1740s in England...
churches and public buildings (he later went on to build St Pancras railway station
St Pancras railway station
St Pancras railway station, also known as London St Pancras and since 2007 as St Pancras International, is a central London railway terminus celebrated for its Victorian architecture. The Grade I listed building stands on Euston Road in St Pancras, London Borough of Camden, between the...
in London, England, and St Mary's Episcopal Cathedral
St Mary's Cathedral, Edinburgh (Episcopal)
St Mary's Cathedral or the Cathedral Church of Saint Mary the Virgin is a cathedral of the Scottish Episcopal Church in Edinburgh, Scotland. It was built in the late 19th century in the West End of Edinburgh's New Town. The cathedral is the see of the Bishop of Edinburgh, one of seven bishops...
in Edinburgh, Scotland). Scott himself never visited Christchurch, but handed over the oversight of the project to Robert Speechley.
The cornerstone was laid on 16 December 1864, but financial problems in the fledgling city saw its completion delayed between 1865 and 1873. At the start of the project, Christchurch was still a small town (its male population numbering only 450), and raising funds for the construction of the cathedral proved to be difficult. Commentators of the time voiced their disappointment at the lack of progress – the novelist Anthony Trollope
Anthony Trollope
Anthony Trollope was one of the most successful, prolific and respected English novelists of the Victorian era. Some of his best-loved works, collectively known as the Chronicles of Barsetshire, revolve around the imaginary county of Barsetshire...
visited the town in 1872 and referred to the "vain foundations" as a "huge record of failure".
In 1873 a new resident architect, New Zealander Benjamin Mountfort
Benjamin Mountfort
Benjamin Woolfield Mountfort was an English emigrant to New Zealand, where he became one of that country's most prominent 19th century architects. He was instrumental in shaping the city of Christchurch's unique architectural identity and culture, and was appointed the first official Provincial...
, took over the project and construction began again. Mountfort adapted Scott's design, adding tower balconies and the west porch, and decorative details such as the font, pulpit and stained glass. The initial plans called for wooden construction, but were changed with the discovery of a source of good quality masonry stone locally. Banks Peninsula
Banks Peninsula
Banks Peninsula is a peninsula of volcanic origin on the east coast of the South Island of New Zealand. It has an area of approximately and encompasses two large harbours and many smaller bays and coves...
totara
Podocarpus totara
Podocarpus totara is a species of podocarp tree endemic to New Zealand. It grows throughout the North Island and northeastern South Island in lowland, montane and lower subalpine forest at elevations of up to 600 m.-Description:...
and matai
Prumnopitys taxifolia
Prumnopitys taxifolia is an endemic New Zealand coniferous tree that grows on the North Island and South Island. It also occurs on Stewart Island/Rakiura but is uncommon there....
timber was used for the roof supports.
The nave—100 feet (30.5 m) long—and tower were consecrated on 1 November 1881, but the transepts, chancel and sanctuary were not finished until 1904. The Christchurch Beautifying Society planted two plane trees
Platanus
Platanus is a small genus of trees native to the Northern Hemisphere. They are the sole living members of the family Platanaceae....
to the south of the cathedral in 1898.
The Rhodes family—which arrived in Canterbury before the First Four Ships—provided funds for the tower and spire. Robert Heaton Rhodes
Robert Heaton Rhodes
Robert Heaton Rhodes was a New Zealand politician, who represented the Akaroa electorate from 1871 to 1874, when he resigned. He was elected unopposed in 1871....
built the tower in memory of his brother George; and the spire was added by the children of George Rhodes. The cathedral spire reached to 63 metres (206.7 ft) above Cathedral Square. Public access to the spire provided for a good viewpoint over the centre of the city, but the spire has been damaged by earthquakes on four occasions. The tower originally contained a peal of ten bells, cast by John Taylor & Co of Loughborough
Loughborough
Loughborough is a town within the Charnwood borough of Leicestershire, England. It is the seat of Charnwood Borough Council and is home to Loughborough University...
, hung in 1881. The original bells were replaced in 1978 by 13 new bells, also cast at Taylors of Loughborough.
In 1894, the widow of Alfred Richard Creyke
Alfred Richard Creyke
Alfred Richard Creyke JP was a 19th century Member of Parliament in Canterbury, New Zealand. He was a significant landholder in Canterbury...
arranged for the western porch of the Cathedral to be built in his memory. On the south side of the Cathedral's nave, there is also a Watts-Russell
John Charles Watts-Russell
John Charles Watts-Russell JP was a 19th century New Zealand politician, a member of the Canterbury Provincial Council and a member of the Legislative Council. He was supposedly the wealthiest of the early settlers, and his homestead became the centre of entertainment in Christchurch...
Memorial Window in memory of her first husband.
The cathedral underwent major renovations during 2006–2007, including the replacement of the original slate roof tiles.
Earthquakes
The Canterbury Region has experienced many earthquakes over the years, and like many buildings in Christchurch, the cathedral has suffered varying degrees of earthquake damage.1881: A stone was dislodged from the finial cap, immediately below the terminal cross, by an earthquake in late 1881, within a month of the cathedral's consecration.
1888:Approximately 8 metres of stonework fell as a result of the 1 September 1888 North Canterbury earthquake
1888 North Canterbury earthquake
The 1888 North Canterbury earthquake is the name associated with a severe earthquake which occurred at 4.10 a.m on 1 September 1888 following a sequence of foreshocks that started the previous evening, and whose epicentre was in the North Canterbury region of the South Island of New Zealand.In...
. The stone spire was replaced.
1901:The top of the spire fell again as a result of the 16 November 1901 Cheviot earthquake
1901 Cheviot earthquake
The 1901 Cheviot earthquake occurred at 07:47 NZT on 16 November 1901 with an estimated magnitude of 6.9 centred near the township of Cheviot in the Canterbury Region of New Zealand.- Damage & casualties :...
. This time, the stone construction was replaced with a more resilient structure of Australian hardwood sheathed with weathered copper sheeting, with an internal mass damper
Tuned mass damper
A tuned mass damper, also known as an active mass damper or harmonic absorber, is a device mounted in structures to reduce the amplitude of mechanical vibrations. Their application can prevent discomfort, damage, or outright structural failure...
. The repairs were funded by the Rhodes family.
1922:One of the stone crosses fell from the Cathedral during the 25 December 1922 Motunau earthquake.
2010:The 4 September 2010 Canterbury earthquake
2010 Canterbury earthquake
The 2010 Canterbury earthquake was a 7.1 magnitude earthquake, which struck the South Island of New Zealand at 4:35 am on local time ....
caused some superficial damage, and the cathedral was closed for engineering inspections until 22 September 2010, when it was deemed safe to re-open. Some further damage was sustained in the "Boxing Day Aftershock" on 26 December.
2011 February
- The 6.3-magnitudeMoment magnitude scaleThe moment magnitude scale is used by seismologists to measure the size of earthquakes in terms of the energy released. The magnitude is based on the seismic moment of the earthquake, which is equal to the rigidity of the Earth multiplied by the average amount of slip on the fault and the size of...
earthquake on 22 February 2011 left the cathedral damaged and several surrounding buildings in ruins. The spire that had withstood damage in the September 2010 quake was completely destroyed, leaving only the lower half of the tower standing. While the walls and roof of the cathedral itself remained mostly intact, the gable of the west front sustained damage, and the roof over the western section of the north aisle, nearest the tower, collapsed. Further Inspections showed that the pillars supporting the building are severely damaged and investigations of damage to the buildings foundations will determine whether the cathedral can be rebuilt on the present site.
- Preliminary reports suggested that as many as 20 people had been in the tower at the time of its collapse. However, a thorough examination of the site by Urban Search and Rescue teams subsequently found no bodies.
2011 June
- The Cathedral suffered further significant damage on 13 June 2011 from the 6.3-magnitudeMoment magnitude scaleThe moment magnitude scale is used by seismologists to measure the size of earthquakes in terms of the energy released. The magnitude is based on the seismic moment of the earthquake, which is equal to the rigidity of the Earth multiplied by the average amount of slip on the fault and the size of...
June 2011 Christchurch earthquakeJune 2011 Christchurch earthquakeThe June 2011 Christchurch earthquake was a shallow magnitude 6.3 ML earthquake that occurred on 13 June 2011 at 14:20 NZST . It was centred at a depth of 6.0 km , about 13 km from Christchurch, which had previously been devastated by the February 2011 magnitude 6.3 ML earthquake...
with the rose windowRose windowA Rose window is often used as a generic term applied to a circular window, but is especially used for those found in churches of the Gothic architectural style and being divided into segments by stone mullions and tracery...
in the west wall falling in and raised the question of "...whether the cathedral needed to be deconsecrated and demolished".
It was announced on 28 October 2011 that the present, damaged structure would be deconsecrated
Deconsecration
Deconsecration is the act of removing a religious blessing from something that had been previously consecrated by a minister or priest of that religion. The same act when performed by a member of a differing religion may be considered a curse by some religions and not a complete removal of the...
and at least partially demolished. Whether any parts of the damaged building will be retained and included in a future building will depend on the state of the fabric as determined during demolition.
Interior
The high altar reredosReredos
thumb|300px|right|An altar and reredos from [[St. Josaphat's Roman Catholic Church|St. Josaphat Catholic Church]] in [[Detroit]], [[Michigan]]. This would be called a [[retable]] in many other languages and countries....
was made from kauri planks from an old bridge over the Hurunui River
Hurunui River
The Hurunui River is the fourth largest of the four principal rivers in north Canterbury, New Zealand, with a catchment area of 2,670 square kilometres. The river flows from the eastern side of the Southern Alps, to the Pacific Ocean....
, and includes six carved figures: Samuel Marsden
Samuel Marsden
Samuel Marsden was an English born Anglican cleric and a prominent member of the Church Missionary Society, believed to have introduced Christianity to New Zealand...
, Archdeacon Henry Williams
Henry Williams (missionary)
Henry Williams was one of the first missionaries who went to New Zealand in the first half of the 19th century....
, Tamihana te Rauparaha, Bishop Selwyn, Bishop Harper
Henry John Chitty Harper
The Rt Rev Henry John Chitty Harper, DD was an eminent Anglican Bishop in the second half of the 19th century. He was born on 9 January 1804, educated at The Queen's College, Oxford and ordained in 1832. He was Chaplain of Eton College until 1850 then Vicar of St Mary’s, Stratfield Mortimer...
, and Bishop Patteson
John Coleridge Patteson
John Coleridge Patteson was an Anglican bishop and martyr.Patteson was educated at The King's School, Ottery St Mary, Eton and then Balliol College, Oxford. He was ordained in 1853 in the Church of England...
.
The pulpit, designed by Mountford, commemorates George Augustus Selwyn, the first and only Bishop of New Zealand. Mountford also designed the font, which was donated by Dean Stanley of Westminster Abbey
Westminster Abbey
The Collegiate Church of St Peter at Westminster, popularly known as Westminster Abbey, is a large, mainly Gothic church, in the City of Westminster, London, United Kingdom, located just to the west of the Palace of Westminster. It is the traditional place of coronation and burial site for English,...
in memory of his brother, Captain Owen Stanley
Owen Stanley
Captain Owen Stanley FRS RN was a British Royal Navy officer and surveyor.-Life:Stanley was born in Alderley, Cheshire the son of Edward Stanley, rector of Alderley and later Bishop of Norwich...
of HMS Britomart, who arrived in Akaroa
Akaroa
Akaroa is a village on Banks Peninsula in the Canterbury region of the South Island of New Zealand, situated within a harbour of the same name—the name Akaroa is Kāi Tahu Māori for 'Long Harbour'.- Overview :...
in 1840.
The Cathedral contains the throne and memorial to Bishop Harper
Henry John Chitty Harper
The Rt Rev Henry John Chitty Harper, DD was an eminent Anglican Bishop in the second half of the 19th century. He was born on 9 January 1804, educated at The Queen's College, Oxford and ordained in 1832. He was Chaplain of Eton College until 1850 then Vicar of St Mary’s, Stratfield Mortimer...
– first Bishop of Christchurch and the second Primate of New Zealand – who laid the foundation stone of the cathedral in 1864, and preached at the consecration service in 1881. In the west porch are stones from the Christ Church, Canterbury, Christchurch Priory
Christchurch Priory
Christchurch Priory is an ecclesiastical parish and former priory church in Christchurch in the English county of Dorset .-Early history:...
, Tintern Abbey
Tintern Abbey
Tintern Abbey was founded by Walter de Clare, Lord of Chepstow, on 9 May 1131. It is situated in the village of Tintern, on the Welsh bank of the River Wye in Monmouthshire, which forms the border between Monmouthshire in Wales and Gloucestershire in England. It was only the second Cistercian...
, Glastonbury Abbey
Glastonbury Abbey
Glastonbury Abbey was a monastery in Glastonbury, Somerset, England. The ruins are now a grade I listed building, and a Scheduled Ancient Monument and are open as a visitor attraction....
, Herod's Temple, St Paul's Cathedral
St Paul's Cathedral
St Paul's Cathedral, London, is a Church of England cathedral and seat of the Bishop of London. Its dedication to Paul the Apostle dates back to the original church on this site, founded in AD 604. St Paul's sits at the top of Ludgate Hill, the highest point in the City of London, and is the mother...
, and Christ Church, Oxford
Christ Church, Oxford
Christ Church or house of Christ, and thus sometimes known as The House), is one of the largest constituent colleges of the University of Oxford in England...
.
The north wall includes a mural dado of inlaid marble and encaustic tile
Encaustic tile
Encaustic tiles are ceramic tiles in which the pattern or figure on the surface is not a product of the glaze but of different colors of clay. They are usually of two colors but a tile may be composed of as many as six. The pattern is inlaid into the body of the tile, so that the design remains as...
s, donated by the Cathedral Guild in 1885, which includes fylfot
Fylfot
Fylfot or fylfot cross , is a synonym for swastika, sometimes used in Britain.However – at least in modern heraldry texts, such as Friar and Woodcock & Robinson – the fylfot differs somewhat from the archetypal form of the swastika: always upright and typically with truncated limbs, as...
motifs. A memorial window above the mural was donated in memory of Sir Thomas Tancred, Bt
Lawson-Tancred Baronetcy
The Tancred, later Lawson-Tancred Baronetcy, of Boroughbridge in the County of York, is a title in the Baronetage of England. It was created on 17 November 1662 for Thomas Tancred. He was a descendant of Richard Tankard, who shortly after the Norman Conquest owned lands at Boroughbridge in...
.
The Chapel of St Michael and St George was opened by Governor-General
Governor-General of New Zealand
The Governor-General of New Zealand is the representative of the monarch of New Zealand . The Governor-General acts as the Queen's vice-regal representative in New Zealand and is often viewed as the de facto head of state....
, Sir Bernard Freyberg VC
Victoria Cross
The Victoria Cross is the highest military decoration awarded for valour "in the face of the enemy" to members of the armed forces of various Commonwealth countries, and previous British Empire territories....
on Remembrance Day
Remembrance Day
Remembrance Day is a memorial day observed in Commonwealth countries since the end of World War I to remember the members of their armed forces who have died in the line of duty. This day, or alternative dates, are also recognized as special days for war remembrances in many non-Commonwealth...
, 6 November 1949, and dedicated to Archbishop Campbell West-Watson
Campbell West-Watson
Campbell West-Watson was successively an Anglican suffragan bishop, diocesan bishop and archbishop over a 40 year period during the first half of the 20th century....
.
Heritage listing
On 7 April 1983, the church was registered by the New Zealand Historic Places TrustNew Zealand Historic Places Trust
The New Zealand Historic Places Trust is a non-profit trust that advocates for the protection of ancestral sites and heritage buildings in New Zealand...
as a Category I historic place, with the registration number being 46. It is the only church designed by Scott in New Zealand. Its design was significantly influenced by Mountfort. It is a major landmark and tourist attraction, and for many it symbolises the ideals of the early settlers. There are numerous memorial tablets, memorial windows and so forth in the church, acting as a reminder to the early people and the region's history.