The Presbyterian Church of St Andrew [the Apostle], on Cox Street, Geraldine
On
Cox St. (State Highway 79) opposite public toilets and Geraldine Museum is a beautiful church built of stones collected from the local river
beds and was dedicated on November 30 1950. The
above church has three stained glass windows.
The number of parishioners who worship at St Andrew's varies from about 130 to
160 in 2015. Unlike many other mainstream churches, this one is growing younger.
The Anglican, Catholic and Presbyterian churches in Geraldine worked well
together, said Rev. Hyslop.
Rev. Ian Hyslop , wife Jacinta and three children moved on in 2015 after
20years at St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church in Geraldine. His last day was 8th
Nov. 2015. He took up a pastoral position in the Upper Clutha Presbyterian
Parish in Wanaka in November 2015.. Rev. Alistair McNaughton moved from Kaikoura
with his family and took his first service Sunday 14th Jan. 2018 at St.
Andrew's.
About 30 volunteers help with Rosie's Recycled Clothing Shop, 4 Peel St, Geraldine, 11 to 3pm. Tues to Fri. which gained charity status in January 2017 only sells good quality clothing. Items not considered up to scratch are sent to Cancer Care in Christchurch. The store was established by the Geraldine Baptist Church and only a quarter of the volunteers are affiliated with St Andrew's Church .In 2017 they raised over $12,000. Distributes funds only once a year with some going towards food parcels. Overheads are the power and rent. Volunteers keep emergency packs in reserve to give to victims of house fires or other unforeseen incidents.
In 2008 the South Canterbury Presbytery had 13 parishes from as far afield as Twizel and Waihao. There has always been a variety of ways to offer ministry. The transitional team approach is one model and it works well in South Canterbury. Churches led by teams of people, for example, also included St David's, the Pukaki Presbyterian Church of Twizel, and the Waihao Co-operating Parish.
The
Timaru Herald Wednesday 19th March 1873
Presbyterian Church, Geraldine.
On last Sunday, the above building though not entirely completed was opened for
Divine service. The rain cleared off during the night, towards eleven o'clock on
Sabbath morning carriages, buggies, traps and horses, all bearing their living
freight, together with a few pedestrians, were seen assembling from all
quarters. The congregation may be said were the largest ever seen in Geraldine.
The Church itself is fully seated, but in addition to this accommodation the
seats of the school house and the Wesleyan Chapel were absorbed. The Wesleyans
in deference to the occasion very courteously closed their place of worship for
the day. The Rev. Geo. Barclay conducted the service in the morning - setting
fourth from Acts, xvi, 13 14, what he termed "Three great institutes of
religion... The Rev. R. Ewen preached in the evening from John v, ii ... The
choir consisted of volunteers from Geraldine, Temuka and Timaru. The Rev. G.
Barclay having stated at the morning service that some
£30 were wanted
by the building committee, the collections - which says much for the liberality
of the congregation -amounted to within a trifle of that sum. [The
Geraldine Church was built in 1873 was moved to Cox St. in 1887. ]
Otago Witness, 15 April 1882, Page 9
The Rev. George Barclay, Presbyterian minister, who is leaving Timaru for the
Old Country, was presented at Geraldine with a cheque for £550, subscribed by
his parishioners and many other friends.
St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church On Cox
St. is a beautiful church built of stones collected from the local river
beds and was dedicated on November 30 1950.
The Presbyterian church at Woodbury was first erected in 1887 and doubled in
size in 1892. Bells for both churches were donated by Rev. George Barclay
J.P. (1835-1908) who arrived at Lyttelton on 1st January 1865. He was
ordained March 8 of that year in St Paul's Church, Christchurch and placed
over the South Canterbury charge with its headquarters in Timaru in 1865.
The people in Timaru complained that there minister was away too much.
Likewise the rural areas complained they did not see him enough. A church
was built in Temuka with Rev. Barclay as minister. In 1872 he accepted a
call to move to Geraldine. In 1879 this charge was divided into three
charges. Geraldine, Point and Temuka. The Geraldine church was built in 1873
was moved to Cox St. in 1887. Rev. Barclay was active in education affairs,
a member of the South Canterbury Education Board from its inception and for
a long time Chairman of the Appointment Committee.
Reference: Daybreak
by A.J. Davey.
St. Andrew's, Geraldine : 1879-1979.
Imprint: Timaru, N.Z.: Beynon Print, [1979]
To the Glory of God in memory of Kenneth Mackenzie 1868-1950 and Eva
1866-1942. presented by the family. Mr Mackenzie, MBE, was a former member of the Geraldine County Council.
This beautiful 1952 John Brock east sanctuary window, the Good Shepherd, similar
to, the 1954 John W. Brock window at
St. Paul's in Timaru.
(opens in a new window)
Two 1975 Roy Miller windows - The Sower and The
Lamb in Revelation presented by Maurice Askin commemorating the Askin family.
Otago Witness, 4 August 1909, Page 26
In response to a request from the family of the late Rev. G. Barclay, who was
the first minister of the Geraldine Church, permission has been granted by the
managers to the family to place a memorial tablet on the walls of the church.
In memory of Rev. George Barclay
former Presbyterian Minister of South Canterbury who founded this congregation.
In memory of Angus Macdonald born April 1st 1822. Died March 2nd 1890. Aged 68.
One of the first members of this church.
Bush Advocate, 20 July 1908, Page 5
DEATH OF A PIONEER CLERGYMAN
WAIMATE, to-day Obituary: Rev. G. Barclay, a pioneer Presbyterian
clergyman, of South Canterbury, after a short illness. Deceased was the father
of Mr A. R. Barclay, M.P., and of Dr Barclay.
Ashburton Guardian, 20 July 1908, Page 2
REV. GEORGE BARCLAY
Waimate, July 20.
The Rev. George Barclay, pioneer Presbyterian clergyman of South Canterbury, has
died, after a short illness. He was the father of Mr A. R. Barclay, M.A.,
Dunedin, and of Dr. Barclay, of Waimate. Mr Barclay was born in Ireland about
1835 or 1836; and was educated, party, at University College, London, and partly
at other Home institutions. He received his theological training in the College
of the English Presbyterian Church, and afterwards became a licentiate of the
Presbytery of London. In January, 1865, he landed in Lyttelton, and, a short
time after, he took up his abode-in Timaru, his district extending from the
Rangitata in the north to the Waitaki in the south, and east and west - was far
as he could go across the island. In later years Mr Barclay took an active
interest in the work of education in South Canterbury, as a member of the South
Canterbury Education Board, and it. was chiefly through his agency that Waimate
obtained its High School.
Mr Barclay, was well known for his willingness to travel throughout his parish, often make a round trip on horseback to Temuka, Geraldine and Pleasant Point after Sunday services in Timaru.
Press, 19 July 1872, Page 2
With reference to the Presbyterian Church of Temuka and Geraldine, the Herald
says The manse contemplated for the Rev. George Barclay, we learn, is in course
of erection. The premises are to consist of a large ten-roomed dwelling-house,
two stories high throughout, with bow windows both in the drawing-room and
dining-room, wash-house, buggy-house, two-stalled stable and harness-room. The
architect is Mr John Currie, of Temuka; and the contractor, Mr Joseph Dean, of
Geraldine. The office-houses being the first portion of the premises taken in
band, are on the eve of completion. For the church at Geraldine, the architect
and contractor is Mr Wm. Upton, of Timaru. A quantity of timber is laid on the
ground for the structure, but the building is not yet commenced. It is greatly
to be regretted for the more expeditions completion of these undertakings, that
the Raukapuka Sawmills have ceased to supply orders during the winter. The manse
land, since our last information, has been securely fenced all round, the
expense about £50—being borne by the private munificence of Mr Angus Macdonald,
of Waitui.
Timaru Herald, 20 August 1895, Page 2
On Sunday the Geraldine Presbyterian Church was filled to its utmost capacity,
the preacher being the Rev. John Mackenzie, M.A., second son of Mr A. Mackenzie,
Geraldine Road. Young Mackenzie received his early education at the Geraldine
Public School, then under the able management of Mr Thomas Hughes, B.A., now of
Christchurch. In 1881 Mackenzie gained a scholarship under the South Canterbury
Education Board, which he held for three years. He attended the Timaru High
School for several years, and made excellent progress. At the matriculation
examination he passed with great credit, and just missed a junior University
scholarship by one place. He then went to Dunedin University, where he was most
successful as a student, and obtained his M.A. degree. Rather more than two
years ago he went to the Old Country and continued his studies in the New
College, Edinburgh. He has finished his career as a student and lately received
a hearty and unanimous call from the Thames, a large and important charge for a
young man. On Sunday morning Mr Mackenzie preached from John vii, 17. He has a
fine commanding presence and speaks fluently, and the grand old gospel under his
fresh cultivated mind acquires a reality and power very few preachers can
command. At the conclusion of the service a great many old friends gathered
round the preacher, to wish him God speed in his new parish. The singing of
choir and congregation was excellent, and the entire service will long be
remembered in Geraldine.
Saint Andrew's Hall.
This stone was laid by Alex. Mackenzie Esq. June 23rd 1912.