The Synod of Otago and Southland is a synod of the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand (PCANZ). Originally independent, the Synod merged with the northern Presbyterian church in 1901 to form the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand.
The origins of the Synod of Otago and Southland began as early as 1848. A migration scheme was set up in the mid nineteenth century to settle Otago with a homogeneous group of settlers. The scheme decided on members of the Free Kirk who had split from the Church of Scotland in the Disruption of 1843. Many Scotsmen were displaced by the Highland Clearances and the opportunity to own and farm their own land appealed to many.
The first two ships of immigrants, including the Rev. Thomas Burns, a nephew of Robert Burns, sailed from Greenock, near Glasgow, in 1847 and arrived March 1848 . The settlers established the city of Dunedin, Scottish Gaelic for Edinburgh. They formed into local congregations and set up the Presbyterian structures of church courts independent of the Presbyterian church that already existed in the north. Many other settlers followed with more ministers among them, and in 1855 the Presbytery of Otago was formed with responsibility for the area south of the Waitaki River and distributing the growing income from church property trusts.
It is said that in 1861 Dunedin was perhaps as Presbyterian as Edinburgh itself, but with the discovery of gold in what became the Central Otago Gold Rush, many men left their homes and headed for the diggings. People came from Australia and around the world to mine in Otago and the Presbytery urgently appealed to Scotland to send more ministers. These were sent and in 1866 the Presbytery was broken up into the presbyteries of Dunedin, Clutha, and Southland, all under the jurisdiction of the Synod of Otago and Southland. The number of ministers remained inadequate and in 1872 it was proposed that the Synod should build a seminary. In 1880 a theological college was formally established.
Union
As soon as the Presbytery of Otago was formed in 1854 it sent a letter to the congregations and presbyteries of the northern church about the importance of cooperation and union between the two churches. Although they represented different sides of the 1843 split the two churches still held common doctrine, polity and discipline. The responses were initially friendly replies, but no further effort was made at uniting the two groups until 1861 when a joint committee was formed and prepared a basis of union. Slight differences between the two groups delayed further progress for some time. The northern church had always been self-supporting, but the Synod of Otago and Southland had been granted a large tract of valuable land, and the Synod was keen to retain ownership of that land in the case of union with the northern church. The open-minded northern church lived among a more mixed population than the conservative Synod which had insisted that only members of the Free Church of Scotland could join its community. From the beginning a large number of the Synod wished to join with the northern church, but an influential minority successfully resisted. This group softened its opposition, however, and in 1901 the two churches united under the name of The General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of New Zealand. The Synod wished to continue its existence, and since it had been established by act of parliament and could not be dissolved, it became a court of the united church and retained control of its trusts. The Synod of Otago and Southland remains the only regional court of the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand.
Present function
The Synod performs some functions that would be the responsibility of the Assembly Office or the Church Property Trustees north of the Waitaki. Parishes and church campsite committees in Otago and Southland can apply to the Synod thought their presbyteries for approval to buy, sell, alter or lease buildings, borrow money or make application to the New Zealand Lottery Grants Board.
The Otago Foundation Trust Board is a sister organization of the Synod and the perpetual trustee for Presbyterian properties south of the Waitaki River. The Trust Board administers funds from which the Synod makes grants to eligible organizations.
At its annual meetings in April the Synod decides the destination of these grants. Most of these funds go to parishes in Otago and Southland, but the Synod has a policy of allocating funds up to 25 percent of total available income to the national church for enterprises which are based in Otago and Southland.
Presbyterianism is a part of the Reformed tradition within Protestantism, which traces its origins to Great Britain, specifically Scotland.
Presbyterianpolity is a method of church governance typified by the rule of assemblies of presbyters, or elders. Each local church is governed by a body of elected elders usually called the session or consistory, though other terms, such as church board, may apply. Groups of local churches are governed by a higher assembly of elders known as the presbytery or classis; presbyteries can be grouped into a synod, and presbyteries and synods nationwide often join together in a general assembly. Responsibility for conduct of church services is reserved to an ordained minister or pastor known as a teaching elder, or a minister of the word and sacrament.
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The Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand (PCANZ) is a major Christian denomination in New Zealand. A part of the Reformed tradition, it is the largest Presbyterian denomination in New Zealand, and known for its relatively progressive stance on doctrine and social issues in comparison with smaller Presbyterian churches in the country. Presbyterianism was introduced to New Zealand by early 19th century settlers, particularly from Scotland and Ireland. It was historically most prevalent in the Otago region. The PCANZ was formed in 1901 with the amalgamation of southern and northern Presbyterian churches. It claims around 29,000 members.
The Diocese of Dunedin is one of the thirteen dioceses and hui amorangi of the Anglican Church in Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia. The diocese covers the same area as the provinces of Otago and Southland in the South Island of New Zealand. Area 65,990 km², population 272,541 (2001). Anglicans are traditionally the third largest religious group in Otago and Southland after Presbyterians and Roman Catholics.
The following lists events that happened during 1901 in New Zealand.
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Thomas Burns was a prominent early European settler and religious leader of the province of Otago, New Zealand.
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Knox Church is a notable building in Dunedin, New Zealand. It houses the city's second Presbyterian congregation and is the city's largest church of any denomination.
Scottish New Zealanders are New Zealanders of Scottish ancestry or who originate from Scotland. The number of New Zealanders who are descended from Scots is unknown, as the New Zealand census asks for ethnicity, not ancestry, and most have now assimilated; nonetheless, the vast majority of Pākehā, or European New Zealanders are of British and Irish descent, and it has been estimated that 1-2 million New Zealanders have roots in Scotland. This includes many Māori, as a large proportion of which have European roots as well. Most Scottish New Zealanders live in New Zealand's deep southern regions of Otago and Murihiku, where they have had an incredible influence. Scottish influence on Dunedin, one of New Zealand's most historically important cities was profound, and Presbyterianism is the major religion south of Christchurch. In some parts of Otago but all of Murihiku, there is a distinct accent known as the "Southland Brrr", which differs from mainstream New Zealand English for being strongly rhotic.
Donald McNaughton Stuart was a New Zealand presbyterian minister and educationalist.
Alexander Don was a New Zealand Presbyterian minister, missionary and writer.
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East Gore Presbyterian Church is a prominent church in the New Zealand town of Gore. It is located on a bluff overlooking the eastern side of the Mataura River. Opened in 1881 as the Gore Presbyterian Church it was the town's primary Presbyterian church until following expansion of the town on the western side of the river lead to services commencing in the more central St Andrew's Church Hall and later at St Andrew's Church. This resulted in it being relegated to serving the needs of East Gore. Designed by Robert Lawson the building is regarded as one of his most impressive wooden churches and is listed by Heritage New Zealand as a Category 2 structure. It closed as a place of Presbyterian worship in 1995 and is in the process of being converted into an art centre.
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