The Selwyn churches were a group of 19th-century Anglican churches and chapels in the Auckland region, New Zealand, named after Bishop Selwyn, who inspired their construction. The majority were built in wood in the neo-gothic style, and many were designed by the architect Frederick Thatcher. [1]
Two Selwyn churches, St Bride's Church in Mauku and the Holy Trinity in Otahuhu were designed by Arthur Guyon Purchas, an associate of the Bishop Selwyn. [2]
Most Selwyn churches were constructed from local timber, mainly kauri and totara. Earlier churches were simple with a rectangular nave, and a smaller chancel; larger churches containing a spire and smaller ones having a belfry; internal walls were stained and varnished; Tudor style oriel windows were used in some. Examples of these include: All Saints Church, Howick, St Peter's Anglican Church, Onehunga, and St Matthias' Church, Panmure. [3] : 24
In 1930 two architecture students recorded and surveyed some of the more well-known Selwyn churches. [3] : 7
Selwyn churches in the Auckland region: [4]
- St Stephen's, Judges Bay (1844) – first St Stephen's chapel
- St Andrew's, Epsom (1846–67) [5]
- St Thomas's, Tamaki (1847) [6]
- St John's Chapel, Meadowbank [7]
- All Saints, Howick (1847) [8]
- St Mark's, Remuera (1847–60) [9]
- St Peter's, Onehunga (1848)
- St Barnabas, Mt Eden (1848) [10]
- St Barnabas, Parnell (1848) [11]
- St James' Church, Okahu (c.1850) [3] : 24
- St Matthias', Panmure (1852) [12]
- Old St Mary's, Parnell (1855–58) – replaced by St Mary's Cathedral
- St Stephen's Chapel, Judges Bay (1857) [13]
- St James', Māngere Bridge (1857) – the only stone church [14]
- St John the Baptist, Northcote (1860) [15]
- St Bride's, Mauku (1860–61) [16]
- All Souls', Clevedon (1861) [17]
- Christ Church, Papakura (1862) [18]
- St John's, Drury (1862) [19]
- Holy Trinity, Otahuhu (1863) – moved in 1928 to become Selwyn Church, Mangere East [20]
- St Sepulchre's, Eden Valley (1865–91) [21]
- St Peter's in the Forest, Bombay (1867) [22]