St Ambrose Anglican Church

Aranui, Christchurch, New Zealand

Centennial 1908 - 2008

Compiled by Tim Baker

Throughout this centennial book a lot of information has been sourced from the 75th jubilee

St Ambrose Anglican Church book - Down the years at St Ambrose. A history of St Ambrose Church to 1984.

Aranui, Christchurch, New Zealand

Centennial 1908 - 2008
ISBN 978-0-473-15344-1 Copyright 2009

Photographs on the front cover

Top: W.A. Taylor photograph Canterbury Museum

Ref: 95311/4 & 95321/4

Bottom: Nissen Hutt plans

Source: Anglican Achieves
 Absent
Introduction - by the Robin Rao
Alec Rao

Reverend Andy Carley Peter Banister

Barry Harrison
Garth Muirson
Arianwen Morgan
This informative and honest account of the life of St Ambrose Anglican Church, Aranui, has Scott Morgan
been carefully researched and put together by Tim Baker, one time parishioner, local Kevin Little
historian, and son of our current Peoples Warden, to commemorate a century of Anglican Paul Rutledge
ministry in Aranui & Wainoni. I am confident that you will enjoy reading about all the ups Heather Timms
and downs, struggles and achievements of the past 100 years. Stewart Wederell
Johannes Stoppels
Many of the names contained in this book have given much in both time and skills for the
benefit of the community and we have endeavoured to ensure a reliable account of the life
and times of the parish has been presented. Many people have contributed to the life of the
parish over the years however if any have been missed pleased accept our sincerest apol-
ogies.
I am pleased to have been able to serve the St Ambrose community for the past three years
and stand only as the latest in a long line of dedicated ministers who wished only to see the
name of Jesus proclaimed and the lives of his followers at St Ambrose made stronger in their
faith. Im sure that all who have served here, whether in the capacity of Vicar, Priest-
Missioner, Deacon, or layperson, will join with me in thanking the community of St Am-
brose for some very fulfilling times together.
Throughout the last 100 years there have been times when St Ambrose has grown and
Parish 20th September 09
shrunk, prospered and declined, but has always retained its commitment to the surrounding
community. There is an unswerving commitment to seeing the work of the gospel
proclaimed in both word and deed, in fact over the last twenty years practical ministry to the
disadvantaged has been the bedrock of the parish. I trust that it will always be so.
While it is great to look back at the past and celebrate the achievements, for the sake of the
future, we must never neglect the present. I believe that there are tremendous opportunities
before us to see lives changed for the better, to see practical needs met, and to see the gospel
preached in a community which has seen more than its fair share of hardship. Through the
hard work and dedication of the many people who have come through the doors of St Am-
Centennial
brose church the last few years has seen a steady increase in both numbers and finances
which bodes well for the future of the parish.
Committee
Rev. Andy Carley, Goldie Wilkinson,
On behalf of the Vestry and current parishioners I wish to thank Tim Baker for all his hard Sheila Baker, Ila Frost, Ray Frost
work in putting together this record of the last 100 years, for his dedicated research and the
careful updating of the original history of St Ambrose prepared for the 75 anniversary in
1984.
I hope that our story will inspire you, wherever you are, to serve your community with the
same passion and dedication as the people of St Ambrose Anglican Church.

Revd Andy Carley

Priest-Missioner, July 2009
Vestry members
2009
Linda Morgan, Chrissie Weaver, Sheila
Baker, Rev. Andy Carley, Albert Pope,
Tim Lindley, Alamein Connell

INTRODUCTION - BY THE REVEREND ANDY CARLEY 1 2 St Ambrose Anglican Church Centennial 1908 - 2008
Introduction
Contents
By the Reverend Andy Carley 1
Preamble
For the period before 1928 there are few records and almost no one with detailed or accurate
Photographs Parish, Centennial Committee and Vestry members 2 memories.
The principal documents we have used are:
Contents 3 Baptismal Register (from 1909)
Service Register (from 1932)
Preamble 4 Minuted of St Ambrose church committee/vestry (from 1928)
Minutes of St Ambrose sewing bee/guild (from 1935)
Chapter One St Ambrose - our Patron Saint 5 Minutes of young wives fellowship
Aranui Primary school Jubilee booklet
Chapter Two Tim Bakers history book Aranui and Wainoni History, Christchurch, New Zealand
1908 - 1923 The beginnings, with New Brighton Parish 9
Chapter Three One apology for omissions must be made in advance. I/we have mentioned many
1923 - 1952 The middle Years, with Linwood Parish 13 names: no doubt we have omitted many others who deserve mention.
Chapter Four The Sewing Bee 1935 - 2007 17 I am grateful to David Close and Alison Regan who compiled the 75th Anniversary
book in 1984 - A HISTORY OF ST. AMBROSE CHURCH TO 1984, as well as Janet
Chapter Five 1952 - 1965 The influx of people: Linwood-Aranui Parish 29 Close for assistance with research, and to Jocelyn Clark for the care with which she
undertook the typing (1984). Most of that book has been repeated in this centennial book
Chapter Six 1966 - 1973 The Leap Forward: Mission District of St. 37 with additional information and photographs.
Michaels, Christchurch
In just a short period of time from 1984 until 2009, technology has changed
Chapter Seven 43 enormously. As I type on my computer, scan photographs, e-mail information and print on
1974 - 1984 On our own
my printer, I think how much more work it must have been just 25 years ago when these
The Parochial District of Aranui-Wainoni people had to use a word processor or typewriter and had no practical way of inserting
Chapter Eight photographs.
1984 - 1989 Rev. Paul Bathurst 55
1989 - 1991 Rev. Will Childs and Rev. Fred Glover as interims
We have found it interesting and enjoyable to delve into the past of St

{
Chapter Nine

}
1988 - 2001 Youth group 59 Ambrose. We trust that those who read the history will derive as much interest
and enjoyment as we have had in compiling it. Our yesterdays can often give
Chapter Ten 1991 - 1993 Rev. John Flavell 63 us encouragement for the future.

Chapter Eleven September, 1984 DAVID CLOSE and ALISON REGAN

1994 - 1998 Rev. Charlie Batterbury 65
Chapter Twelve 1998 - 2001 Enabler - Rev. Rob Thompson 69
One thing of interest to note is that St Ambrose, (originally the Mission Hall to
Chapter Thirteen St Faiths New Brighton Parish), didnt become a parish in its own right until
2001 - 2006 Rev. Mike Coleman 71 its 68th year, in 1974. Ministers/Vicars until this time were working from
Chapter Fourteen 2006 - Present other parishes and ministered part time at St Ambrose.
Rev. Andy Carley 75
I also have enjoyed my time researching and compiling this updated history of St Ambrose
Chapter Fifteen Centennial 22nd & 23rd November 2008 79 Anglican Church. I hope that the church people continue their good work in our community
and will stay strong enough to have a 200th birthday.
Appendices List of Ministers, Committee/Vestry Members and Baptisms 87
Tim Baker 6th March 2009
Ray Frost 92

CONTENTS 3 4 PREAMBLE
St Ambrose Anglican Church Centennial 1908 - 2008
 Chapter One
ST AMBROSE - OUR PATRON SAINT
FAITHFUL LEADER
DEFENDER OF THE FAITH
OUTSPOKEN ON POLITICS AND MORALS
Few Bishops in the history of the church have shown themselves more concerned to uphold
the Apostles faith, to be a faithful pastor to Gods people, and to rigorously stand up against
social injustice and moral wrong.
The son of a leading Roman civil servant in France, Ambrose studied law, and in 370 was
appointed to govern a province around Milan in the North of Italy. Soon after, the Bishop
died, and during the election of his successor, a childs voice cried out, Ambrose Bishop.
Everyone regarded this a sign from God, and astounded Ambrose found himself baptised,
confirmed, Priested, and consecrated Bishop, all within the space of a week.
He soon set such a high standard and example in his private and public life and leadership
that he rivalled the Pope himself. He was truly a man being led by the spirit of God.
As well as his leadership in the Church, he stood out for right in the affairs of the country.
He badgered the so-called Christian emperor until he stamped out traces of pagan worship
in the land. Later, he publicly rebuked the emperor Theodosius for permitting the massacre
of 7,000 people after a demonstration in Thessalonica. To press his point home, he refused
the emperor Communion until he had done penance. Imagine someone doing that today to a
Prime Minister or King.
Ambrose is a wise choice as our patron saint, for he reminds us of our duty as Gods people
in Aranui-Wainoni to keep to and preach the true faith, to care for those around us, and, by
involving ourselves in the concerns of our society, to uphold Christian principles and help
stamp out social injustice and evil.
In 397 A.D. Ambrose died, but the memory of this great saint of God lives on.
The Church remembers him at this time of our centennial.
ST AMBROSE - OUR PATRON SAINT 5 6
SAINT AMBROSE OF MILAN Audrey Lumsden 1999
A wise mans heart guides his mouth, his lips promote instruction. Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to
the soul and healing to the bones. (Proverbs 16.22.)
In March last year (1998) after a holiday in Christchurch, and when I had decided to return to Christchurch, I
also decided to worship here at St. Ambrose. I looked up all I could find about St. Ambrose, mostly from For
All the Saints, and from several small books of symbols of the saints and the church. There were several for
St. Ambrose, notably a bar of music, the beehive and the beehive with the scourges crossed over them.
Rob Thompson helped me out in my search by mentioning that Ambrose was honey tongued and with that I
had to be content. But I was still not satisfied, because nothing told me what he had been before he entered the
church, and no mention of being a beekeeper. Then when I joined the Theological Library at St. Marys, I
found a new publication on the life of St. Ambrose by a seminarian in New York. I found it fascinating, and
immediately wanted to share what I had found about our saint with you.
I want to speak to you first of the times in which Ambrose lived. He lived in the 4th Century after Christ, called
now CE for The Common Era, but which we called when we were at school AD or Anno Domini, the year of
Our Lord. I shall continue to call it this so as not to muddle myself up. Ambrose lived for fifty six years in this
century from 339 AD till 397 AD.
But first I shall go back to 250 AD.
In that year the Roman Emperor Decius set the deadline for all citizens of the Roman Empire to perform public
sacrifice to the emperor, and in return they received a certificate saying that they had the right to stay alive. It
was a terrifying time! By then there were many Christians in the Empire. Many of them gave in and performed
the sacrifices. But many didnt. They were jailed, tortured, burned, sent to the lions, martyred or went into
hiding.
After eleven years (in 261 AD) Christianity became a legally tolerated religion. This lasted for nearly 40 years,
and was a prelude for the bloodiest persecution of the lot.
When Diocletion became Emperor in 284 AD, he set about to reform the economy, the government and the
army. It was not easy, and by 303 AD he decided that it was the Christians who were to blame for the woes the
Empire was suffering. He issued 4 edicts against Christians, and this was the worst persecution ever. This went
on for eight years until 311 AD when Gallerius became Emperor, and decreed toleration for Christianity.
In 312 AD we have the well known story of Constantine. He was the head of the army, and was a pagan. His
mother Helen, was a Christian. Before the battle of Milvian Bridge, which he hoped would give him the whole
of the Roman Empire, he prayed to the supreme god to give him the victory. He was given a vision of a
flaming cross in the sky with the words in this sign we conquer (in Latin of course). He had other visions too.
But the historical fact is that he won the battle for the Western throne and became the emperor Constantine. He
attributed this to the Christian God.
He then agreed with the eastern part of the empire on an edict of toleration towards all religions. From then on
until Constantine died on Pentecost Sunday in 337 AD (just after being baptised) he brought the church and its
leaders into the powerful circle of the Roman Empire, as never before. He built many magnificent churches in
the Empire and endowed them with funds.
He convened the great Council of Nicea from which eventually came the Nicene Creed, a version of which we
still say, and set out a pattern of organisation for church leaders.
Constantine also helped the church to gain much wealth.
He also began to use the power of the state to aid one side against another in theological debates within the
church. Heresy became an offence against the state, and led to much bloodshed. This century is noted for being
the bloodiest of all the early centuries. In fact, there is only one other century in all of the 2000 years of
Christianity when more lives have been lost for our faith and that is our own, just ending, the 20 Century.
We know from the letters of Paul and Peter and onwards that various heresies engulfed the church and its
people. And when it became a matter of state policy, these heresies often led to local wars.
The heresy which particularly led to dissension in the 4th Century AD was Arianism. This originated in Egypt,
and concerned the divinity of Christ. Was He really the Son of God, or just a very good man? Dissension
spread around the known world, and factions vied for imperial support. Many of the early saints of the church
were involved in this argument. Some suffered, some were exiled and some were martyred. Antony, Ath-
anasius, Gregory, Basil, Jerome, Augustine to name some of them.
St Ambrose Anglican Church Centennial 1908 - 2008
And it was at this time, in this climate and among these events that Ambrose was born, probably at Trier, a Ambrose gave us our first hymns. Up to this time the Christian church used the style of the ancient Hebrew
town on the banks of the river Moselle, in Germany. church and chanted the words of scripture. But Ambrose started to compose hymns, and his church at Milan
began to seek comfort and spiritual strength in the singing of these hymns. In these hymns he sought to teach
His father (also Ambrose) was Governor of Gaul, which at that time included what is present day France,
his congregation Christian faith and doctrine. We still sing hymns for worship and learning.
Spain, Portugal, much of Great Britain, part of Germany and part of North Africa. It is said here on the lawn of
his fathers home we have the story of the bees. Hear it in the words of Paulinus of Milan, the first biographer Ambrose also gave us the Te Deum, or Song of the Church. A very long treatise called the Exalted is said or
of Ambrose: sung on Easter Saturday at the lighting of the Paschal Candle.
And so when his father Ambrose was administrating the prefecture of the Gauls, Ambrose was born. The
If any of you have traveled in Italy and have visited St Ambrose Cathedral in Milan, you will have been able to
infant was placed in a cradle in a courtyard of the praetoriam. All at once as he slept with his mouth open, a
stand by the font where Ambrose baptised Augustine. Augustine wrote of the hymns composed by Ambrose
swarm of bees came and covered his face and mouth in such a way that they would go in and out of his mouth.
and sung at his baptism:
His father who was walking nearby with Ambroses mother and sister, prevented the nurse who was
The tears flowed from me when I heard your hymns and canticle, for the sweet singing of your church moved
responsible for feeding the infant from driving them away, for she was concerned that they might hurt the child.
me deeply. The music surged in my ears, truth seeped into my heart, devotion overflowed, so that the tears
He waited with fatherly affection to see how the matter would conclude.
streamed down. But they were tears of gladness.
But after a short time the bees flew out of his mouth and were lifted so high in the air that they could not be
seen by human eye. When this happened his father was shaken, and said: If this little boy lives, he will be Ambrose said of his own hymns: They also say that the people are led astray by the charm of my hymns.
something great! Certainly I do not deny it. This is a mighty charm, more powerful than any other. For what avails more than the
Even in his infancy the Lord was at work in His servant, so what had been said might be fulfilled: Good works confession of the Trinity, which is proclaimed daily from the mouth of all the people.
are a honeycomb (Proverbs 16:24). For that swarm of bees produced for us the honeycomb of his writings
The Arians used music and bright hangings in their meetings, and robed their priests. Ambrose began to do
which would tell of heavenly gifts and raise the minds of human beings from earthly things to heavenly.
what has been done many times since, If you cant beat them, join them and he began liturgical worship,
Although Ambrose and his family were Christians neither he nor his sister Marcellina nor his brother Satyrus robing in significant colours priests and singers to make greater impact on the people.
were baptised as infants. When his father died in Trier, the family moved back to Rome.
He came into conflict with the Emperor Theodosius a number of times but both respected each other. After a
Ambrose was well trained in the liberal arts, Greek and Latin and in skills of oratory, so he was accepted to particularly horrible massacre promoted by the Emperor, Ambrose ordered Theodosius to do penance. The
practice law. He was so brilliant at arguing cases that he was chosen by the Praefect of Rome (Probus) to serve Emperor did so and Ambrose influence became greater. This event is remembered in the scourge which we
as his consul. After this he was invested as judge to rule the provinces of Liguria and Aemilia. sometimes see in the emblem of Ambrose.
And so Ambrose came to Milan when he was just thirty years old. Legend has it that as Probus dismissed Am- Ambrose built three churches in Milan, one called after himself. He died when he was fifty six and his bones
brose, he did so prophetically with these words Go and act, not as a Judge but as a Bishop. are interred in the cathedral called after him.
Arian theology was still a problem in the west and only four years after Ambrose became governor, the bishop When he was canonised some centuries later, he was soon venerated as a saint, and miracles were attributed to
died, and the new one to take his place was Arian. Distrust of him led to riots in the city, and Ambrose as him.
governor went to quell them, only to find himself elected as bishop by popular choice. Legend has it that a
He is remembered in the Roman Catholic Church as one of the four Fathers of the Church along with Gregory,
child called out Ambrose for bishop. The cry was taken up by the people.
Jerome and Augustine.
Ambrose did not want this and the account tells us that twice he ran away and hid. But eventually he was
Defend the weak and the orphaned: maintain the cause of the afflicted and destitute. Rescue the weak and the
persuaded. He was baptised and eight days later he was consecrated as Bishop.
needy, and save them from the hands of the wicked. Psalm 82.
Ambrose ambition for himself had been to live a quiet life, practicing law, translating Greek classics, reading
A wise mans heart guides his mouth, and his lips promote instruction. Pleasant words are a honeycomb,
and eventually becoming a philosopher.
sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.
Instead he became a great teacher and preacher. He is said to have celebrated the Eucharist every day, and
preached at each service. He instituted the various services of the Hours which are still said in many places.
He wrote many letters, especially to his sister Marcellina, who was a nun in a convent in northern Italy. With Thats our Ambrose.
his knowledge of Greek, he delved into theological controversies, wrote and taught widely and persuasively on
the absolute divinity of Christ as the essential centre of the Christian faith. Researched by Audrey Lumsden in 1999.
He wrote scathingly of the greed of the rich. His longest book was on Naboths Vineyard in which he
included teaching on Jesus parable of the rich man and the poor man entering heaven (Dives and Lazarus.) He
taught always that Jesus loved the poor and downtrodden. It is said that on becoming bishop Ambrose gave
away all his own possessions.
He wrote on the beauty of Gods creation, urging people to preserve what God had given us to enjoy.
He favoured celibacy for all who wanted to serve Christ in the church, and prompted by his sister Marcellina,
he collected together all his sermons on this subject and published them as a treatise. This was very unpopular
at this time. Since the Roman Empire depended heavily on a constant supply of young loyal subjects to defend
its far flung frontiers, he was accused of attempting to undermine the state with his teaching. His sense of
humour is illustrated in his answer. He pointed out that the population was far more in danger from wars than
from the number of dedicated virgins.
It seems to be certain that his teaching on the desirability of chastity increased the popularity of monasticism
for many centuries.
However to counteract this his greatest love of all the books of the Bible was The Song of Solomon. A love
poem of a young couple.

ST AMBROSE - OUR PATRON SAINT 7 8 St Ambrose Anglican Church Centennial 1908 - 2008
 Chapter Two The roads were mostly only horse and cart tracks, the lupin and broom on the side of the
road often growing so much that parts of the road were like a tunnel without a top. Breezes
1908 - 1923 Road from Pages Road to New Brighton Road was far from level, a big hill not far from
THE BEGINNINGS, WITH NEW BRIGHTON PARISH New Brighton Road having to be climbed by all users. At the other end of Breezes Road just
past Carters Road there was a large depression in the road and in wet weather it was difficult
Early Aranui to keep dry feet.
What was Aranui like when St Ambrose was first established? Thanks to Tim Bakers book, The only open roads in 1911 were New Brighton Road, Pages Road, Cuthberts Road,
Aranui and Wainoni History, Christchurch, New Zealand, we have a comprehensive record Breezes Road from New Brighton Road to Bexley Road. All the other roads were paper or
of the areas history from around 1852 until recent times. In fact in 1908 Aranui didnt unformed roads, although in some cases there were people in them.
exist. Chapter 16 of Tim Bakers book is about the history of the New Brighton Golf Links
which was on the corner of Cuthberts and Breezes Roads, where the sewage plant settling For the first fifteen years, St Ambrose church was part of New Brighton Parish. It was built
ponds are today. This was a 9 hole golf course opened in 1910 and in1919 relocated to the in 1908 in Breezes Road, south of what was then called Carters Lane. The Church was
present site and renamed Avondale golf links. known at first as the Breezes Road Mission Hall. In 1913 the building was shifted to the site
behind the present vicarage at 309 Breezes Road. A special fund-raising effort was made to
buy a piano which was still in use 42 years later.
Avondale Golf Club
50th anniversary booklet Aranui school used the church from 1911 to 1915 when classes were moved to the tin shed
1969
on the site of the present Aranui Primary School. At various times the church building was
used by the school when there were temporary shortages of accommodation.

NEW BRIGHTON GOLF LINKS FIRST YEAR PUPILS 1911, ARANUI SCHOOL

St Ambrose (known then as the Mission Hall) was built in 1908 just two hundred metres
north west of the golf links. In 1911 a school was opened in the district that used the church
as its classroom and from this first year class photograph shows clearly the name Aranui
School 1911. It is also the earliest known photograph of the Church. This is thought by Tim
Baker to be the first evidence of the district name, Aranui, therefore The Mission Hall was
originally part of the greater New Brighton district of which St Faiths Church also was/is. In 1914 land was bought at the present school site and The Tin
Shed was built. This was cold and noisy in winter and hot in
The following extract from the Aranui Primary School Jubilee booklet gives a clear picture: summer. It was later shifted to North Brighton School.

Aranui was very sparsely populated at that time, the district consisting of acres of sandhills,
swamps, broom, lupin, gorse and sod fences. Much earlier it formed part of the Sandhills
run and was well named since most of the land from Linwood Avenue to the sea at New
Brighton consisted of sandhills and swamps. There were a number of holdings of from 10 to
20 acres or more and most of the early settlers built their homes on high sandhills. Then in
Aranui School role:
order to save the sand from being blown away from their homes etc, they planted trees on 1911 - 28 pupils
the boundaries. 1914 - 50
1956 - 450
The main road from the city to New Brighton was Pages Road with the tramline making it 1959 - 707
the busiest road in the district. New Brighton Road, since renamed Wainoni Road, was also 1960 - 837 (Peak)
an important road in that prior to the opening of the New Brighton bridge to all traffic, the 2008 - 260
easiest way to New Brighton was via New Brighton Road over the Bower Bridge. For many
years traffic other than trams could only proceed down Pages Road as far as Breezes Road.

1908-1923 9 10 St Ambrose Anglican Church Centennial 1908 - 2008

The Vicars of the New Brighton Parish during this time were: Within the Blakeway family, the Christian tradition remained strong. Mrs Dorothy Coman
(nee Blakeway) lived in Sumner for many years and was a faithful member of All Saints
Rev. H.T. Purchas (1908 - 1913) Church. Her son, Harold Coman, was a member of St.Chads Vestry. Her daughter, Mrs
Rev. H.H. Mathias (1913 - 1921) Grace Smith, who moved to Linwood, was a pillar of the church at St.Chads for many
Rev. C.W. MacLaverty (1921 - 1923) years.
Gertrude Blakeway married Fredrick Hughes, who proceeded to audit the St Ambrose
Among the stalwarts of the church in those early days (and for
accounts. Arthur Hughes, their son, recalls going to St Ambrose Church with his grandmoth-
years to come) were the Blakeways. The Blakeway family
er and sitting on a stool beside her while she played the organ. He began to play around
had come to New Zealand in 1908. Mr Blakeway opened a
with organs, developed a love for them, played the organ at St Ambrose, and has, for many
store and the family lived in a house on the corner of Breezes
years, been the organist at St.Chads church. Mary Hughes, Arthurs sister, married Ted Har-
Road and Pages Roads where a petrol station now stands.
rall, a tireless worker in the parish and diocese.
(Mrs. Malden, wife of Rev. E.E. Malden, recalled their
beautiful garden). Another Blakeway daughter, Mrs Wallace, served on the Church Committee and took the
tram to Aranui to teach Sunday School after she moved to Linwood.
Mrs Alice Blakeway superintended the Sunday School and
served on the Church Committee for many years. Mr Those referred to above are clear evidence of the work of the faithful few many years ago.
Blakeway started a choir, (see the photograph on page 13), How many others were touched we do not know, but the work was evidently on a small
and their daughters, Gertrude and Dorothy, sang in the choir. scale. In the fifteen years from 1908 to 1923 only eighteen children were baptised. Of
Both Gertrude and her mother played the organ. course, St Ambrose was a branch church; some people may have preferred to go to the
parish church (Gertrude Hughes recalls walking to St Faiths as a child.)
The first Vicar Henry Thomas Purchas wrote this book,
Bishop Harper and the Canterbury Settlement in 1903. This
is a comprehensive history of the Anglican Church from the
1850s appointing Bishop Harper as the first Bishop in the South Island, his life prior to, his An extract from Tim Bakers book Aranui and Wainoni History, Christchurch, New Zealand.
arrival with his wife, and then, 15 children and the history behind how Christchurch and the
Anglican Church began and developed. In my opinion (Tim Baker) this book should be read
Lot 5 on Breezes Road was
by every high school child in Christchurch. Available at second hand book stores. bought by James Stewart,
where this house was built. It
An extract from Aranui and Wainoni History, Christchurch, New Zealand. was on sold to William
Anderson in 1916 and then to
With the electric tram now connecting the Captain Frederic Boulton
Photo: 1956 Hughes and Blanche Ethel
Aranui District to the city, more people built
houses both big and small and made a home for Maude Hughes in 1920 and
their families. In 1910, the population had grown who had three boys, Freddie,
to between 50-60 houses in a one mile radius of Bert and Harold. The house
the Breezes Road-Pages Road intersection. was approximately where the
Living in the district was John Blakeway and his Trustbank was on the New
family, and in this year, 1910, they employed a World Supermarket site.
Mr Edwin Rowse to built the first store of the Photo: Mary Harrall
district. The building itself was a house that the
Blakeway family lived in with the front room
used as the store.
The photo on the left is the Blakeways house
and store in 1956, before it was pulled down to
make way for new shops and a petrol station. It The inside of the church about 1920.
is located on the south east corner of Breezes
and Pages Roads where the new petrol station W.A. Taylor photographs
is today. The red brick M.E.D. building is Canterbury Museum
shown at the left of this photo. On 27th March Ref: 95311/4 & 95321/4
1912 a telephone office was established in the Blakeways store. It was provided free of cost and with Mr
Blakeway agreeing to act as telephonist without pay until such time as the revenue reached 10 pound per an-
ST AMBROSE CROSS
It is encouraging and inspiring to see how the Blakeways passed on to their family and to
This was made by an early Parishioner Mrs Wilkes,
others the tradition of devoted service to the Church. The Lovell-Smith children were among (mother of Sir Herbert Wilkes, the British Ambassa-
those whom Mrs Blakeway taught in Sunday School. Their father, who served on the Church dor in Libya for 20 years) It was removed from its
Committee, was an architect. One of the boys, Bill, following in his fathers footsteps, as a stand and hung above the alter when the church was
civil engineer, built the Queen Elizabeth 11 stadium and pool for the 1974 Commonwealth refurbished in 1967.
Games.

1908-1923 11 12 St Ambrose Anglican Church Centennial 1908 - 2008

 Chapter Three
1923 - 1952
THE MIDDLE YEARS, WITH LINWOOD PARISH
Little appears to have changed when St Ambrose and Aranui were included in Linwood
Parish instead of New Brighton, but there is evidence of combined activities in the form of
the St ChadsSt Ambrose choir. It used to visit other parishes to give concerts.
St ChadsSt Ambrose members of the choir 1925-6 Rev. H. Nelson-Wright 1930/31
Rev. E. E. Malden was Vicar of Linwood Parish from 1923 to 1929. He was an Englishman
with an M.A. from Trinity College, Cambridge. The humble nature of the architecture of St
Ambrose must have been a startling contrast with the Trinity College Chapels, and the
conversation of Aranui people remote from the discourse of Cambridge dons. He had a sense
of humour, however his parishioners were undergrounda reference to the several
cemeteries established on the cheap, sandy land in the parish.
Rev. Maldens service as a Chaplain with British forces in the First World War would also
have been a great contrast to the academic life of Cambridge but would have brought him
face to face with the realities of human existence. His widow later recalled that during the
war he wrote over a thousand letters to the next-of-kin of those killed in the battle.
Rev. H. Nelson-Wright, Vicar 1930-1931, is less well remembered because of his shorter
time in the Parish, but the St Ambrose Church Committee passed a very hearty vote of
thanks and expressed regret when he left to go to Akaroa Parish.
With the arrival of Rev Walter Southward, one senses a quickening of the tempo for a time.
At the 1933 A.G.M. he proposed that all parishioners in the district should be visited, that
they should be encouraged to give regularly on the envelope system, and that St Ambrose
finances should be incorporated with St Chad's, with the parish vestry receiving all moneys
and paying all accounts. The last proposal had to wait twenty years before it was
implemented. The St Ambrose church committee, fearing a loss of independence, opted for
the status quo, maintaining the annual contribution to the Vicars stipend at 20-0-0.
1923-1952 13
The proposed visiting took place, assisted by four theological students from College House:
Mr Hart, Mr Carson, Mr Norris, and Mr Blakiston. They also took services and assisted with
the Sunday school.
Rev. Walter Southward was remembered in the
parish for his work with young people. Arthur
Hughes remembers how the kids would pile into the
Vicars big open car and he would take them off for
picnics.
Activity seems to have reached a peak at St Ambrose
in 1933. The attendances at services for the year
totalled 1,538 including children, with 77 present on
Easter day. Numbers tended to decline after 1933,
and in 1939 the corresponding figures were 690 for
the year and 17 for Easter. 25th Birthday cake 1933
Numbers attending services remained low during the war years with congregations seldom
exceeding single figures except for special services, and the 1942-1943 period when only
one service a month was held.
Perennial Problems
A present-day vestry member reading the Minutes of the Committee Meetings in the thirties
finds a great deal that is familiar. There are the various means devised to raise money to pay
the churchs essential expenses. Jumble sales were the most common but sales of work,
socials, dances, a concert, even a mock court, were also tried. A social in 1928 produced a
profit of 8s.6d, while Jumble sales in 1932 and 1933 yielded 14.10.0 and 3.00
respectively. Goods not sold at the Jumble sale were passed on to the St Martine House of
Help, precursor of todays City Mission.
Rosters arranged to clean the church evidently ran into difficulties because the matter is
raised as an apparently fresh item every few years. The lupins round the church posed a
fairly constant problem. Sometimes a working bee was arranged; sometimes a man was
engaged to undertake the work. The ultimate solution appeared to have been found in 1942
when someone undertook to keep the grounds clear of lupins in return for grazing rights.
Painting of the church also posed problems. The roof was painted for 4.10.0, in 1932. In
1937 the outside of the building was painted for 28.0.0 the sewing bee meeting the total
cost, and the cost of a new cupboard for 6.0.0, Two years later the interior was painted for
16.90. By 1948 maintenance was again becoming urgent and there was discussion of the
possible sale of land to carry out repairs and painting; instead a loan was raised from the
diocese.
Planned giving by the envelope system was first proposed, as previously mentioned, by Rev.
W. Southward in 1933. Miss H. Norris and later Mrs P. Reeve acted as secretaries of what
were also referred to as freewill offerings, but it was not until the mid-fifties that this type
of giving began to constitute the bulk of the churchs income.
The contribution by St Ambrose Church to the vicars stipend remained at 20.0.0 per year
from 1931 to 1952, when it was raised to 25.0.0.
14 St Ambrose Anglican Church Centennial 1908 - 2008
Work Amongst the Young There is one sad note in the minutes in 1943. Mr Rhodes was asked to keep boys from
Whatever the ups and downs of finances, or the state of the lupins, or the condition of the playing in the church grounds and to report to the police if they did not comply. The incident
paint, the work amongst the young seems to have continued. There always seems to have raises interesting questions about the relationship of the church to the community. Perhaps
been a Sunday School Superintendent and one or two assistant teachers. There are the urge to deplore such negative attitudes would be tempered by the knowledge that our
occasional references to a Bible Class, a Girls Club and a Boys Club. Unfortunately, there own generation is not altogether free of them.
are no details about the number of children and young people involved, but we surmise that
the numbers were low as there were few children in the district until the fifties.
It was reported to the 1932 AGM that young peoples work and the Sunday School was on Prior to the completion of the Christchurch Cathedral in 1904, a temporary Vestry was built on the north side
the upgrade and congratulations were passed to Mr H. F. Harding (superintendent), Mrs beside the Cathedral. After its completion the building was no longer needed and by the official opening of the
Cathedral in November 1904, the vestry was relocated to a site that is now addressed 315 Breezes Road,
Wallace and others. Mr Harding left a gap when he departed for Cambridge University as he Aranui. Thomas and Lilly Rhodes were staunch 7th Day Adventists were much involved in the building of the
had also taken services and the Bible class. The gap was filled by College House students 7Th Day Adventist Church in Aranui. InformationAranui and Wainoni History, Christchurch, New Zealand
and later: successively, by Mr Ingram (superintendent in 1936). Mrs Manhart and Mrs
Wallace (1933), Mr Nicholls (1940), Mrs Moyse (kindergarten 1941), and Mrs Manhart
(1943-4), the last being another example of the second generation taking up the work.
In 1945 the role was assumed by two men, Mr Blair and Mr Henderson, but returned to two
women, Miss Barr and Miss Parkins in 1948. In this year a new name appearedMr. C.
Pearce. It was not long before he was Superintendent of the Sunday School and running a
Bible class. He attended Church Committee meetings and annual meetings, gave reports on
the Sunday school, requested more teachers, and urged the attendance of more children. He
held the post for six years until 1954, when Ted Harrall from St Chads (husband of Mary
Hughes took over).
One gains the impression from the records that some of the teachers were dedicated, capable
enthusiasts who entered the task with eagerness, and that others took on the job because it
needed to be done and there was no one else to do itthe motives of both types being
equally sound.
The Sunday school always appears to have had some priority in church committee thinking.
Sums of money were regularly voted for end-of-year presents or prizes, twenty-five bibles
were bought in 1939, and, on another occasion, reference books for the teachers. When the
church bought electric heaters in 1932, the Sunday school reversed the procedure and
donated 2.0.0 towards the cost. In 1939 it was resolved that all Sunday school offertories
should be given to Missions, a common practice in other churches at that time.
Vicars from 1938
Rev. H. F. Harding (vicar 1938-1941) was notable for having been a long-standing
committee member and Sunday school teacher at St Ambrose before he was ordained and
returned as Vicar. He spoke warmly of a return to the old days and took almost all the
services at St Ambrose himself, not making use of lay readers as others had done, but
numbers attending church actually declined.
Rev. Clem Knight (1941-1945), and Rev. Reg. Williams (1945-1949) continued a patient
ministry. Minutes of Annual meetings show more coherence, detail and organisation under
the leadership of Rev. Reg. Williams, and numbers attending church rose in 1948.
The next vicar, Rev. Walter Robinson (1949-1952) appears, understandably, to have been
somewhat disheartened by the lack of further growth. He spoke at the Annual meeting in
1951 of the need to rouse Anglicans in the district from their apathy and indifference to
worship.
It is clear that during all these years of patient ministry from the clergy and faithful service
from the devoted few, there were no spectacular results. The years of struggle meant,
however, that a foundation was preserved on which future building could take place.

1923-1952 15 16 St Ambrose Anglican Church Centennial 1908 - 2008

 Chapter Four
THE SEWING BEE 1935 - 2007
One of the notable developments of the thirties was the establishment of the Sewing Bee,
which had its first meeting on 1st August 1935, the annual subscription being set at 1s.0d.
Minutes of the meetings held on the first Thursday of each month inform us of the
attendance, activities, and who served the indispensable afternoon tea. The sewing Bee
raised significant sums of money in a period when money was very short and distributed it to
meet both local and distant needs. In 1939, for example, the group paid 16.9s.0p for the
interior painting of the church; there were also contributions to the North China Mission, the
Melanesian Mission, and Church Missionary Society, in addition to the major effort of the
annual Missionary Market held in the city.
During the war years garments were knitted for members of the armed forces, forty-six
articles being despatched on one occasion. In the years immediately after the war, when food
was desperately short in Europe, the emphasis shifted to the sending of food parcels to
Britain, including several to Rev. H. Harding, vicar of the parish 1938 to 1941, who was
living at Cambridge. Reaching out beyond the dictates of patriotism and kindred feeling, the
group also sent clothing to Poland. What emerges from a reading of the records, however, is
not so much the nature and number of activities, but the dedication and devotion of a small
number of women.
The total membership over the 1935-1945 period was not much over a dozen but the
attendance at meetings seldom fell below six, a testimony to the faithfulness of their service
and also, perhaps, to the warmth of fellowship. It would appear that Miss A. N. Norris was
the leading force in the group. She was president for ten years, from the time the sewing bee
was established in 1935 till she left Aranui in 1945. It is recorded that no Annual meeting
was held by the sewing bee one year because she was ill. Her place as president was taken
by Mrs. P. Reeve (mother of Mrs Beverly Searle) who, continuing the tradition of long
-serving presidents, held the office till 1967.
Miss H. Norris, sister of the Miss A. N. Norris of Sewing bee fame, lived with her sister in
Pages Road. Miss H. Norris appears to have taken no part in the activities of the Sewing
Bee, but instead devoted her attention to the organisation of the freewill offerings. The two
sisters evidently heeded St Paul's advice to exercise their particular gifts.
Sewing Bee members 1980s.
Ella Fellows, Edith Brand,
Sherlee Richards, Goldie
Wilkinson .
THE SEWING BEE 1935-2007 17
MINUTES OF THE FIRST MEETING
The first meeting of the St Ambrose Sewing Bee was held on Thursday August the 1st 1935.
The Vicar presided Rev. Southward.
The following members being present: Mrs Belgrave, Mrs Crawford, Mrs Falloon, Mrs
Rowlands, Mrs Richards, Mrs Wallace, Mrs Scott, Mrs Reeve and Miss Norris.
The following business was passed and carried: Mrs Wallace moved and Mrs Rowlands se-
conded that Miss Norris be President.
Mrs Belgrave moved and Mrs Reeves seconded that Mrs Rowlands be Treasurer.
Mrs Belgrave moved and Mrs Scott seconded that Mrs Reeve be Secretary.
It was decided that the subscription be 1/- per annum.
The time for meetings be 2pm sharp, and the Bee to meet every first and third Thursday in
each month.
The name to be St Ambrose Sewing Bee.
Each lady to bring a plate and a 1p towards the cost of tea and sugar.
Suggestions were made for making garments and other articles for a sale of work the date to
be decided later.
The question of guessing competitions was discussed and could be used for raising funds
provided they were a test of skill.
The Sewing Bee was in future to take charge of all jumble sales etc.
Mrs Bates sent an apology for being absent.
SEGMENTS OF SEWING BEE HISTORY
Written/copied by the Sewing Bee in 1984
In reading through the minutes I am impressed by the many loyal hardworking members
there have been over the years.
Several deserve a mention for their dedication and long service.
Mrs Reeve
Who was a foundation member and was with the Sewing Bee for 40 years until her death in
1975, was secretary from 1935-1945 and then President from 1945-1968.
Mrs Rowlands
A foundation member, was with the group for 37 years until her death in 1972 and was
treasurer from 1935-1937 and secretary from 1955-1961.
Mrs Byers
Joined the Sewing Bee in 1938, was a member for 36 years until her death in 1974 and was
Treasurer from 1948-1970.
It is interesting to note that the group started with 10 members. It has always been a small
group ranging over the years from 5-13 members.
In 1984 the membership was 10. The subscription remained at 1 shilling (10c) for 44 years,
it was increased to 20c in 1979. Im sure this must be a record for any group.
In 1937 a Post Office account was opened in the name of St Ambrose Sewing Bee. Mrs
Manhart and Miss Norris as trustees.
18 St Ambrose Anglican Church Centennial 1908 - 2008
The Sewing Bee was held the first and third Thursday until 1945 when it was changed to 1976
monthly meetings on the first Thursday. A Memorial Rose Garden was planted in the Church grounds in memory of Miss Park who
In 1951 the name was changed to Womens Fellowship. In 1952 in view of the formation of was a long standing member of the Church, for this two rose bushes were donated from the
a womens fellowship it then reverted back to the name of Sewing Bee. Sewing Bee.
Stalls wer e held to r aise funds for the var ious pr ojects. This became a tr adition. 1980
During 1950-1960 stalls raised from 7-0-1 to 38-4-11.
During 1980-1985 stalls raised from $161.40 to $378.75. We were sorry to say farewell to Sister Ella and a donation was given to her.
Stalls were held at New Brighton and Aranui. A tent was hired from the boy scouts for 5/-.
1984
It is interesting to note that in the early years wool and material was bought from funds eg.
1 sent to haywrights for print suitable for aprons and childrens frocks. Material bought for A sound system was donated to the Church by a member of the Sewing Bee. This has been a
aprons, tray cloths and supper cloths. 36 skeins of wool were bought. great asset to the congregation.
In recent years generous gifts of wool and material pieces have been donated by city firms. 1985
The Sunday School 1936-1965 Embroidery was stopped but there was still a very enthusiastic hardworking group of knitters
and sewers.
Many donations were given from the Sewing Bee, some for School Prizes, the Cradle Roll
and Youth Group. See pages 22-24 for a comprehensive listing of donations from the Sewing Bee.
Fancy Dresses were organised for the children and prizes given. A donation of 3/9 was given
for a sick child.
Concerts with the Seaside Sunshine Singers and dances were organised, anybody
remember them?
Interesting happenings at early meetings were-
An extract from Aranui and Wainoni History, Christchurch, New Zealand.
guessing games, exchanging recipes at 1p each, a cup and saucer afternoon, talk on overseas
travel, demonstration on making bead brooches and felt work and Rev Kent Johnson spoke In 1897 11 acres was sold to Mrs Mary Norris, the wife of Thomas Norris. It is thought that the Norris family
on English Cathedrals. built this house between 1891 and 1897.
From the Macdonald dictionary of Canterbury biographies, it states (Mr Thomas Cheal Norris (1848 - 1921)
Over the years clothes were made and given to- was born in Sussex, England. He married Mary Maria Bellamy and brought his wife and family to N.Z. in
Dr Barnardos Home, Mary Summer House in England, The Headmaster of a collage in 1879. He was appointed to the Charitable Aid Board in May 1886 and when the Hospital Board amalgamated
with the Charitable Aid Board was secretary of the Amalgamated Board. He was a strong churchman and his
Poland, Dutch and English flood victims, Rev Robinson in Fiji for poor and needy, the life was closely connected to the Church of England. He was a member of the Diocesan Synod, representing
Tongan Mission, St Christopher's in Fiji, Templeton Hospital, Christchurch City Mission, Oxford and New Brighton He had a large family of whom four died young. The Reverend Canon Arthur
Intellectually Handicapped and Save the Children Fund. Hugh Norris was the most notable of them.)
After his death in 1921 the property was
During the War Years transferred to Mary Norriss sister Aldyth
Members were active making handkerchiefs and knitting scarves and balaclavas for Aranui Norris, then in 1945 the property was bought
by Walter Henry Scott where his wife Mildred
soldiers overseas. and their children lived.
1936-1946
Substantial donations were given to Missions including Melanesian Mission, China Mission,
Maori Mission, Church Missionary Society, Church Army Hut at Burnham, Sick and
Wounded Fund and Mission Market.
An adopted boy and St Christophers Home in Fiji are more recent ones we support on a reg-
ular basis. (1984)
Photograph from Susan Swan
1947-1949 (Scott).
About 1950
Members sent one parcel per month to England. Several stalls were held to fund this, and
members were asked to bring tinned food.

THE SEWING BEE 1935-2007 19 20 St Ambrose Anglican Church Centennial 1908 - 2008
 1985 - 2007 GIFTS TO CHURCH
July 1938 Church exterior painted 28-0-0
February 1939 Church interior painted 16-9-0
October 1942 A stole for Rev Tuelon 1-0-0
1946 Altar cloth for Church 3-1-0
March 1949 Kneelers were made for Sunday school 2-7-9
August 1950 Curtains for hall, New cloth for table 2-7-9
March 1951 Green altar frontal braid, Material 3-1-10
July 1951 2 crystal cruets with silver 2-5-6
Cruciform stoppers 1-10-0
August 1951 2 enamel teapots 0-16-0
St Ambrose Sewing Bees July 1953 Material for curtains to screen altar while
50th Anniversary cake 1935 social functions were held
May 1955 Donation to Church building fund 100-0-0
-1985 February 1957 Altar fittings JA Redpath 15-10-8
Made by June Hickling LF Seatoon 3-10-0
Dominion Builders 30-14-0
(Altar & altar rail fittings)
July 1957 Lino and curtains for kitchen
August 1957 Red altar fontal material
September 1957 A credence table for new Church
August 1958 Sanctuary curtain and carpet
February 1959 Zipp heater for Church kitchen
August 1960 Sedilia (set of seats) for sanctuary (25th anniversary gift) 17-0-0
February 1961 2 new tables to match furniture in sanctuary 16-0-0
July 1961 New lino for bench and floor in kitchen 42-6-0
May 1962 Paint for kitchen and hall
August 1962 5 wall heaters for Church 67-1-0
February 1964 Pewter jug for font 8-0-0
Font 64-8-0
November 1964 Kneelers (79) 6-18-3
May 1965 Donation to new motor mower 12-10-6
August 1965 Donation to paint for Church 15-0-0
July 1966 New altar cloth 15-0-0
March 1967 Vicars new vestments 4-14-0
September 1967 Kneelers for altar rail 34-0-0
Governors Bay Project (The old Vicarage used as a youth $50.00
camp and picnic area)
March 1971 Cupboard for music books $15.57
May 1971 Donation to Vicarage drive $50.00
Sewing Bee members 1980s Rebecca June 1971 Two Prayer Desks $64.00
Mathie, June Clarkson, Edith Brand, 1972 Carpet sweeper $8.00
Goldie Wilkinson, Ila Frost, Kath Oliver, August 1972 November and December Church magazine was paid for
Ella Fellows, Sherlee Richards and Irene November 1972 Donation to Church $82.00
May 1973 Donation to Vicars stipend $108.00
Rogers. November 1973 Donation to Church $94.00
July 1974 Donation for carpet for Vicarage (Dining room) $100.00
May 1974 Chalice and Patten (Consecration Gift) $59.76
April 1975 Curtains for clear storey windows in hall $200.00
1975 A piano was bought as a 40th Birthday Gift $500.00
1977 Heaters and heating $170.00
1977 5lb box of tea bought for Church
May 1977 Church notice board $77.00
October 1977 Donation from stall given to Church $215.00
May 1978 Repairs to Vicarage spouting $210.00
June 1978 Material bought and Purificators made
August 1978 Donations sent to St Christophers 10th year thanksgiving $15.00
1979 Vicarage blinds and curtains $338.83
1979 Vicarage spouting $210.00
1980 Bee paid of Vicarage loan $575.00
October 1980 Two Hanmer pottery vases for Church $60.00
1981 Overhead projector $438.83
July 1981 Day of giving (Deficit to Diocese) $100.00
December 1982 Gift to Church to pay Diocesan debt $450.00
December 1982 Gift to St Christophers Novices Building Fund $25.00
July 1983 Pascal candle $38.65
August 1983 Damask material for altar cloth $60.00
December 1984 Donation to John Thompson for work done on sound system $50.00
1986 Donation to Church $250.00
1986 Donation for television $400.00
1986 Cutlery and 30 Scripture in song books were purchased
1986 10 New Harvest books $96.00
1986 St Christophers home $40
1986 Adopted boy $20

A common site outside the church, a couple of long time members having a Sewing Bee used clothing sale.
Left: Sherlee Richards & Goldie Wilkinson.

THE SEWING BEE 1935-2007 21 22 St Ambrose Anglican Church Centennial 1908 - 2008
 GIFTS TO CHURCH CONTINUE GIFTS TO CHURCH CONTINUE
1987 65 new kneelers were made, bought electric typewriter for office 2000 Rose for 65th anniversary St Christophers $100.00
St Christophers Home $40.00
Adopted boy $20.00 2001 New drapes and curtains for office. Gift to Rev. Rob Thompson of green stole
embroidered with beehive. Carton of clothes to St Christophers Home in Fiji.
1988 Donation towards Church debt $628.50 Donation towards Church Carpet $2500.00
Carpet for childrens corner $127.00 Donation toward toilet lino $800.00
Fridge/freezer for vicarage $760.00 Curtain track $86.95
Electrician account $30.40 Vacuum cleaner $607.00
St Christophers Home $47.00 St Christophers Home $100.00
Adopted boy $20.00
2002 Drama clothes made for the service for the disabled church services. 2 blue
1989 Scope heater for hall $250.00 vases and 2 ceramic pots for Church. 2 large through-overs and 1 table cloth.
Van donation (youth group) $50.00 3 large bags for collecting bread for the food bank.
4 dozen cups $93.60 St Christophers Home $100.00
16 N.Z. Prayer Books $300.00
Repair typewriter $200.00 2003 25 literary books $201.56
Lining for curtains $112.00 A fridge for Church kitchen $499.00
St Christophers Home $67.00 St Christophers Home $150.00

1990 Vinyl for Vicarage bathroom and laundry $1000.00 2004 2 table clothes for interview tables for food bank. 2 roller towels for toilets. A
6 new Purificators curtain for the back of the piano
St Christophers Home $60.00 Dishwasher and stove for Church kitchen$1312.13 of this was donation $2275.00
from the catering team
1991 A surplice for the Server was made $41.00 A carton of clothes to St Christophers Home
2 large table clothsfor Church functions, a dust cover for Altar and St Christophers Home $150.00
a red Chasuble for Rev. Heather Flavells Ordination were made.
A cream Burse was restored. 2005 St Christophers Home $150.00
4 dozen desert plates $120.00 Material to couch cover $65.70
24 N.Z. Prayer Books $504.00 Donations towards caf
St Christophers Home $70.00 Kitchen lino
3 large cushions for childrens corner in the church
1992 6 large tables $850.00 2 cartons of clothes for St Christophers Home in Fiji
An altar N.Z. Prayer book $78.75
Cream embroidered Prayer book cover made
2 folders bought for past history $25.90
Photo album for photos over the years $12.90
Hall curtains washed and relined This is the final report by the Sewing Bee for the church A.G.M. in 2008
1993 New element for sterilizer $100 St Ambrose Sewing Bee 72nd Annual Report.
Vicarage fumigated
St Christophers Home $60.00
This year has been a slowing down for the group. After 72 years from its beginning in 1935,
1994 Church and Hall fumigated $326.00 with the advancing years of its members it was decided to close down. (2007)
New notice board $264.00
6 Purificators made Two stalls held raised $168.90 and $196.30
St Christophers Home $60.00
Donation made: St Christophers Home in Fiji $150.00.
1995 Altar Frontal cleaned and 2 rods replaced
60th anniversary giftreplaced window with coloured polycarbonate $2317.16 To Sharleen at St Christophers Home Fiji - $100.00 towards her coarse on
Brass plaque for window inscribed, I am the light of the world dining room services.
Activities bags were made for the children
St Christophers Home 4 Purificators were made
New Communion case A throw was made for the caf couch
$100.00
1996 Prayer books were replaced $2500.00 The curtains were repaired
Church power account donation $800.00 Bank account was closed and $128.90 was given to the church funds.
Repair wedding kneelers $86.95
St Christophers Home $607.00
Members attended the funeral of Irene Rogers, a long standing member.
1997 Spot clean Church carpet $40.00 A very enjoyable Christmas party was held in December with invited past and present
Church power account donation $200.00
The inside of the chalice re-silvered $16.90 members, joined by Rev. Andy Carley, Bishops Warden Ray Frost and Ernie Wilkinson,
Accessories for pool table (youth group) $75.00 budget advisers Julie Williams and Andrew. The raffle was won by Ernie Wilkinson.
St Christophers Home $60.00

1998 Carpet square for hall $370.00 We received interesting news letter from St Christophers Home in Fiji.
Plastic carpet protector for food bank $44.80 Thanks to Ila and Sheila for doing the books to Ray for erecting the tables for our stalls and
Church power account donation $300.00
Tea bags for Church use to all members past and present who have contributed over the years. We wouldnt have
achieved what we have without your dedication and hard work.
1999 November stall takings given to Church funds $393.50
4 Purificators were made
St Christopher's Home $60.00 Thank you all

Goldie Wilkinson

THE SEWING BEE 1935-2007 23 24 St Ambrose Anglican Church Centennial 1908 - 2008
 1995 - Christchurch Press ST AMBROSE MEMORY GARDEN
Miss Ann Park was a long standing member of St Ambrose Church and a member of the
Sewing Bee from 1952 until her death in the 1976.
Her sister, Mrs Buschl, lived at 331 Breezes Road for many years, a faithful worker and
supporter, who left her property to St Ambrose Church. Miss Park lived on, in the house,
spanning the generations not only in time, but also in spirit, accepting the new form of the
liturgy, the new music, the new songs, and the noisy clamour of the young worshipping with
the old. For years her presence set the seal on the completeness of the family of God. There
are others who, since her death, have continued to perform that role. A small rose garden in
memory of Miss Park is sited between the hall and the vicarage.
331 Breezes Road was sold by St Ambrose in 1996 so that the property beside the church,
311 Breezes Road, could be purchased after the long time neighbour, Bill Trotter, died. The
intention being that it could be used at sometime in the future for a youth group, meetings
and other church activities. Unfortunately this didnt happen and in 1998 the church decided
to sell it and invest the proceeds to help with the running of the church.
The St Ambrose Memory Garden Rose Garden was first planted in memory of Miss
Ann Park. Three roses were planted.

Above and right: New coloured window in the form of a cross.

There are physically many things that the Sewing Bee will be remembered for, for a long
time to come. Amongst these is the stained glass window at the rear of the church. This was
a gift from the Sewing Bee to the parish for their 60th anniversary, in 1995, which replaced
the original timber framed one that required maintenance and had been broken on more than
one occasion. The window is made with coloured polycarbonate and cost $2317.16.
Without the Sewing Bees donations to the rest of the parish from 1935-2008, it goes A. Miss A. Park X 3 roses 1976
without saying that a lot of money would have to have been sourced from somewhere else to B. Winnie Johnson West Coast 1995
pay for the lists of items it bought. This amounts to tens (probably hundreds) of thousands of C. Margaret Gunstone Loving Memory 1998
dollars in todays money. More likely most of these things wouldnt have been replaced or D. Estole De Holland 1974
been mended. E. Golden wedding anniversaries 2000 for: Otway and Liz Woodward, Morris and
Great women, Great place, Great suburb!!! Gladys Bradford and Ernie and Goldie Wilkinson
F. Sewing Bee 65th Anniversary in 2000

THE SEWING BEE 1935-2007 25 26 St Ambrose Anglican Church Centennial 1908 - 2008
 MEMBERSHIP
1935-? Mrs Belgrave 1972-1975 Mrs Dott
1935-1937 Mrs Crawford 1973-1977 Mrs G Pierson
1935-? Mrs Falloon 1974-1978 Mrs S Edwards
1935-1975 Mrs P. Reeve Died 1975 1974-1975 Mrs A Armstrong
1935-? Mrs Richards 1974- Mrs E Brand Died 2008
1935-1971 Mrs E Rowlands Died 1972 1975- Mrs M Murray
1935-1938 Mrs Scott 1975-1979 Mrs Shearer Died 1994
1935-? Mrs L Wallis 1975-1976 Mrs E Smith Died 1976
1935-1945 Miss A Norris Died 1956 1975-1983 Mrs D Barsby
1935-? Mrs Bate 1977-1978 Mrs K Hurst
1935 Miss Cuff 1977-1978 Mrs Green
Margaret Gunstone Loving Memory 1998 - Long time parishioner and church volunteer. 1935-1937 Mrs Rose 1978-1979 Mrs S Russell
1935-? Mrs Ingram 1978- Mrs E Berg Died 1994
1935-? Mrs Gibson Died 1948 1979-1982 Mrs I Rogers
1936 Mrs Cooper 1979- Mrs E Fallows Died 17/04/03
1937-1948 Mrs Manhart 1981 Mrs E Robinson
1937 Mrs White 1983- Mrs M Frost
1937-1974 Mrs C Byres Died 1974 1984- Mrs Y Wasley
1937-? Mrs Lyall 1984- Mrs B Arthur
1937-? Mrs Fletcher 1986-? Mrs K Sweeney
1937-? Mrs Iggo Died 1944 1986-? Mrs A Reagan
1938-? Mrs Elliot 1986-? Mrs J Lefebre
1938-1939 Mrs Kemp Died 1939 1987-? Mrs S Richards
1938-? Mrs Seyb 1999-? Mrs J Hickling
1939-? Mrs Moyse 2003-2007 Mrs Sheila Baker
Above and below: Past and present Sewing Bee members 2007. 1939-? Mrs Vickary 1935-1945 Miss Norris
1939-? Mrs Duncan 1945-1968 Mrs Reeve
1941-1964 Mrs Buschl Died 1964 PAST SEWING BEE OFFICE HOLDERS
1942-? Mrs Watkins PRESIDENTS
1949-1954 Mrs N Holmes
1951-? Mrs J Clarkson
1951-1956 Mrs R Phelan 1968-1977 Mrs Wilkinson
1952-1976 Miss A Park 1977-1979 Mrs Murray
1952-1953 Mrs P Lee 1980-1983 Mrs Mathie
1952-? Mrs L Turner Died 2004 1983-1986 Mrs M Frost
1952-1957 Mrs Grieble 1986-2007 Mrs G Wilkinson
1952-? Mrs Sutton 1935-1945 Mrs Reeve
1953-1955 Mrs Richards 1945-1949 Mrs Fletcher
1953-1954 Mrs McGregor
Sewing Bee 65th Anniversary 1954-1970 Mrs Johanson
SECRETARIES
Rose bush 2000. 1955-1956 Mrs Eastwood
1955-1960 Mrs Cook 1950-1953 Mrs Holmes
1957-1977 Miss D Parkins Died 1981 1953-1954 Mrs McGregor
1957-1958 Mrs Cox 1955-1961 Mrs Rowlands
1962-1966 Mrs A Wallace 1961-1974 Miss Parkins
1962-1969 Mrs N Bennison 1974-2007 Mrs Ila Frost
1967-2007 Mrs G Wilkinson 1935-1937 Mrs Rowlands
1968-1990 Miss M Burson Died 1994 1937-1948 Mrs Manhart
1968-1983 Mrs R Mathie Died 2001
1969-2007 Mrs I Frost TREASURERS
1970-1975 Mrs J Newnham
1970-? Mrs J Fenn 1948-1970 Mrs Byers
1972-? Mrs P Ashton 1970-1975 Mrs Newnham
1975-2004 Mrs I Frost
2004-2007 Mrs S Baker
65th Anniversary cake Edith Brand cutting the Minnie Burson cutting the
70th Anniversary cake 75th Anniversary cake

THE SEWING BEE 1935-2007 27 28 St Ambrose Anglican Church Centennial 1908 - 2008
 Chapter Five
1952 - 1965
THE INFLUX OF PEOPLE: LINWOOD-ARNUI PARISH
In the 1950s change came to Aranui. The demand for housing after the war led to the rapid
expansion of Christchurch. In Aranui and Wainoni there was cheap land; streets were laid
out and houses built at astonishing speed. The church made a positive response to the influx
under the inspiring leadership of Rev Walter Kent-Johnson, vicar from 1952-1957. A new
mood of outrageous optimism can be sensed as one reads the minutes of a committee
meeting held on 21st September 1952, a congregation with an annual income of 55.00.
decides to build a new church! Admittedly, the initial hope was that the whole cost might be
met from diocesan funds, and that the building should be the most economic available, an
army-style Nissen hut, most unconventional for a church, but proposed by Mr Paul Pascoe,
one of New Zealand's foremost architects.

Discussion took place on whether the new church should be built on a new site near the
Aranui Primary school, but St Ambrose people felt strongly that the old site should be
retained.
In the 1953-1955 period a spate of fund-raising activities was organisedsocials, a mock
court, an appeal to all Anglicans in the district, concerts and a dance. The first social yielded
a modest 3.5.3., the mock court 10.0.0, and a sewing bee stall an amazing 83.0.0
amazing when one considers the annual income from other sources was only about 50.0.0.
In addition to the vigour of fund-raising for the new church, there was a new sense of being
part of the whole parish. No services were held at St Ambrose on All Saints Day in 1953
and instead the congregation was transported to St Chads for the Parish Festival. The parish
wardens and other members of the vestry attended meetings at St Ambrose, and the St
Ambrose committee more than doubled its contribution to the vicars stipend and travelling,
to the figure of 60.0.0 p.a. Ted Harralls leadership of the Sunday School and Young
Peoples Club from 1954 1957 was another example of the one parish concept at work.
In August, 1955, when the building fund had reached over 300.0.0., a meeting of
parishioners approved plans for the Nissen hut-style church, decided to apply to the diocese
for a loan, and received prompt approval for a loan of 1,500.0.0, half of it interest free.
When tenders were eventually called for the erection of the new building, the lowest tender
was 2,300.0.0., 800.0.0. above the estimate, but the diocese promptly responded with
additional loan money. Building began in April, 1956, and the new church was dedicated on
the first Sunday of February, 1957.
It was the fruit of a united effort from the diocese, the parish, and the local congregation.
The sense of unity and co-operation was also reflected in the decision by the St Ambrose
congregation to amalgamate its finances with St Chads. The name of the parish was
accordingly changed from Linwood to Linwood-Aranui.
In 1956 a professionally organised campaign to increase regular giving to the church had
been launched. It challenged parishioners to give sacrificially set the parish finances on a
much firmer basis, and enabled the parish to meet the demands of an expanding population.
Similar campaigns elsewhere in the diocese enabled the diocese itself to provide the
financial support to Linwood-Aranui that the new housing areas demanded.

1952-1965 29 30 St Ambrose Anglican Church Centennial 1908 - 2008

 At the same time as the new church campaign came the growth of a vigorous Young Wives
Fellowship. Mrs. Kent-Johnson, the vicars wife, was part of the inspiration of the group, but
there was strong local leadership from Mrs Beverly Searle, Mrs. Turner, Mrs. Yvonne
Watson and others. In 1954 the group had a membership of thirty-five and an average
attendance of twenty-two.
There was similar growth in the Sunday School, with sixty to seventy children attending
class in the church and the adjacent public hall. The faithful Miss Parkins had to retire in
1956 because of ill health, but the work carried on with Mrs. June Clarkson assisting Mr.
Ted Harrall. The Sunday School was later superintended by Mrs. Moore, and then by Mr.
Fraser Flanagan, assisted by Mr. Bert Gunstone. Fraser recalls that one of his pupils was
Ceri Parr who married David Coles, who in 1984 had been appointed Dean of Christchurch
Cathedral.
The work among the young appears to have suffered at times from lack of leadership. In
1959, for example, it was decided that young people would have to go to St Chads for Bible
Class. Miss Barbara Allen (Vicars assistant) ran a Youth Club on Saturday evenings in
1958. Rev. Cecil Blakie continued with a similar group, which appears to have gone out of
existence on his departure. The Sunday School was sometimes short of teachers but
benefited from long-term service from stalwarts like Mrs. June Clarkson, who taught for
eight years from 1954-1961.

Burt Gunstone and June Clarkson photographed in the 1990s

In the late 1950s and early 1960s the numbers attending services increased significantly,
though there were spectacular differences between the Family Services which soared over
the hundred mark, and the Evensongs which sometimes fell as low as five.
In 1961 St Anthonys Church Centre was established in Portsmouth Street to serve the new
predominantly State housing area. Some of the leaders, members and children who might
have found their way to St Ambrose were engaged at St Anthonys. The Parish of Linwood-
Aranui also operated a church centre at Dallington, St Christophers. With the parish church
and three other centres to service, in what was then the biggest parish in New Zealand, cler-
gy were thinly spread, though the days of a single clergyman as vicar had passed.

1952-1965 31 32 St Ambrose Anglican Church Centennial 1908 - 2008

Miss Barbara Allen assisted The Rev. Roy Andrews during his ministry (1957-1960), while Press 6th Feb 1957
curates Rev. Cecil Blakie, Rev. Jack Evans, Rev. Ross Eaton, Rev. Tom Johnston and Rev. Page 9
Michael Brown all worked with Rev. Alban Purchas during his ministry.
Rev. Roy Andrews exercised a quiet ministry. In 1959 he encouraged the establishment of a The New St. Ambrose
system of parish visitors, who had an important role in a Mission led by Archdeacon Gowing. was built in 1957. The
Rev. Alban Purchas, (grandson of H. T. PurchasVicar 1908-1913), by contrast, could not pews were from the orig-
be described as having a quiet ministry. He roared round the parish in a beat-up Holden, inal church. Later they
showing boundless energy in getting to the four centres on Sundays and to every corner of the were replaced with new
parish on week days. Approachable and pews and in 2005 with
The Rev. Alban Purchas chairs.
Dec 1960Nov 1966 unshockable, Alban was able to minister
to all sorts and conditions. He found,
as others before and after found, that he I remember in the 1970s
spent a great part of his time assisting that there was one in our
those who would seldom or never attend back yard for us to sit on.
church. Another gift he had was to
recruit leaders, which he did by bluntly
the challenging people (often on the
fringe) to take up responsibility. THE NEW CHURCH HALL OF ST AMBROSE, ARANUI, WHICH WAS DEDICATED LAST SUNDAY. IT IS IN THE
ANGLICAN PAROCHIAL DISTRICT OF LINWOOD.

Church archives 1959

The Sewing Bee, which was never numerically
large, continued to make an important contribution Early plans had an
to church finances. In 1962, for example, the group alternative entrance to the
paid for the paint which a working bee used to church at the front where
paint the church. the windows with the
cross are. Perhaps the
It was a habit of The Rev. Alban Purchas to say church was built closer to
when money was lacking for a projectIll try the Breezes Road than the
Sewing Bee. The strength of the group has always architect thought it might
been in the dedication of the few. Mrs. P. Reeve, be and the side entrance
who became the leader in 1945 served more than was more practical.
twenty years in the position. She also served on the
Church Committee from 1935-1961, the last twelve
years as treasurer. It is gratifying that Mrs. Reeve,
after years of faithful service, was able to witness
growth in the church in the fifties and the sixties.
Church archives 1969

In 1966/7 the vestry and oth-

er rooms, as well as the vic-
arage had been added, and in
1975 the church hall was
built. The additions were
done in stages as the parish
needed to raise the money
St Ambrose Church Archives and build as they could
1960s?
afford to.

1952-1965 33 34 St Ambrose Anglican Church Centennial 1908 - 2008

 The district of Aranui has had a huge
population growth over the past century. 1956
The parish out grew the original church
building and in 1974 became a parish in
its own right (not a mission district).
In 1912 the first telephone in the Aranui
district which operated from the Blake-
way's store on the corner of Pages and
Breezes Roads (where the petrol station
is today) and served 50 to 60 houses in a
one mile radius.
From the book Along the hills by James
Watson, on page 119, it states that In
1921 Aranui had a population of 80
people, in 1926 - 353, in 1945 had 404
people. In 1926 Wainoni had a pop-
ulation of only 19 residents and in 1945 -
307.
It can be seen on the following page that
in the late 1950s, the Wainoni Block
was being developed. This includes the
Hampshire Street and surrounding area.
The map shown as the year 1961 shows
the extension of the Wainoni Block being
Eureka Street, Carisbrooke Street and
surrounding area. There would have been
about 1000 houses erected in the whole
Wainoni Block. In the same era other
housing blocks such as the Aranui
Block off Rowses Road - St Heliers
Crescent and surrounding streets had
about 150 houses being built. Bickerton 1961
Street, Te Rama and Te Huna Street were
About developed with about 150 houses.
1890
The Canadian Block - Vancouver
Crescent and surrounding streets was
developed in the late 1950s with about
250 houses being built.
1960s saw Another Aranui Subdivision
being the west side of Rowses Road and
Tomrich Street and soon after Carters
road was built on and the south side of
Shortland Street and surrounding streets
developed and built on.
The 1980s saw the Aranui Camping
ground developed and McHaffies Place
had about 30 house built.
By the end of the 1980s there was little
land left but the bigger sections were cut
up at different times. The boom was
over.
The total amount of houses in the area
today is around 3000. At an average of
30 per year for 100 years, meant the
district changed rapidly including St Am-
brose. (My boundaries are Cuffs Rd,
Wainoni Rd, up to Bexley Rd and Cuth-
berts Rd through to Bexley Rd.

About
1930

1952-1965 35 36 St Ambrose Anglican Church Centennial 1908 - 2008

 Chapter Six
1966 - 1973
THE LEAP FORWARD:
MISSION DISTRICT OF ST. MICHAELS,
CHRISTCHURCH
The Linwood-Aranui parish had by now become large and unwieldy. Since St Michaels had
expressed an interest in outreach and had the finance and expertise available to give
assistance, the decision was taken by the Standing Committee of the Diocese to attach the
districts of Aranui and Wainoni to St Michaels parish during the next period of
development. At a Service at St Ambrose on 27th February, 1966, St Michaels officially
accepted oversight of what became the Aranui-Wainoni Mission District. Rev David
Balfour, priest-assistant to Rev Phillip Baker, the vicar of St Michaels became the first full
-time priest for this area. He and his familywife Loma, three childrenHelen, Jean and
Hamish, Paddy their dog and Torrent their cat, lived initially at 36 Shortland Street.
However, proposals were already under way for the building of a vicarage on land situated
behind St Ambrose. Thanks to people like Mr Don Donnithorne, the architect, and Mr
Phillip Brown and trustees, things moved quickly and smoothly. On 22nd October in that
same year the dedication of St Ambrose church and Vicarage took place, the service being
taken by the new Bishop of Christchurch, Allan Pyatt.
In his first monthly magazine and many times thereafter David Balfour emphasised his
willingness to serve, his availability at all times: I am never too busy. He also stated his
wish to begin a servers roster, a singing group, a youth club, and a coffee club. His report to
an Annual General Meeting of forty-two parishioners just over one year later showed that
organisations were indeed flourishing, there being a Mens Fellowship, Womens
Fellowship, Youth Group, Young Wives, Sewing Guild and Sanctuary Guild.
1966-1973 37
At the beginning of 1967 the Sunday Schools at St Ambrose and St Anthonys were closed,
but replaced by a weekday Childrens Club. The stated aim was to make things more
interesting for the children by providing a wider range of activities.
Confirmation in 1969 at St MichaelsCity, at the time David Balfour was Minister from
March 1966 - September 1971.
Back Row. Sheryl Orange; Georgina Anderson; Penny Stow; Harry Fallows; Margot
Torrance; Wendy Tolchard; Moira Fallows.
Front Row. Wendy Hickling; Paulene Harvey; Rt. Rev. A. Pyatt; Rev. David Balfour;
Rosemary Blanchard.
A bus collected them and transported them to St Anthonys. Attendances were overall quite
good. In the first three weeks, numbers went from 88 to 133, then appear to have dropped
and steadied. (It is interesting to read in the Vestry Minutes of that time that television had
an effect on numbers).
Services were centred at St Ambrose, with St Anthonys functioning as the church hall. St
Ambrose held a Communion Service every Sunday at 9.00 am, and an Evening Communion
once a month, and at both venues there was a Family Eucharist on the third Sunday of each
month. Morning and Evening Prayers were read daily at St Ambrose. Parents were
encouraged to bring children to all services.
Although the church and vicarage were not debt-free, nor was the district anywhere near
being self-supporting, financially the year went better than anticipated. The position was
helped then, as now, by a fair and the contribution of the Sewing Bee. The vestry felt
confident that the next projectthe completion of the church interior could be tackled. The
Rev. Balfours comment at this time, Actually we should finish up with one of the nicest
little churches in Canterbury, is delightfully apt.
The first year or so of this period has been covered in some detail because it appears to be a
year in which great progress was made. Kelvin Newnham, synods man and deputy chairman
of the vestry, commented in his report of May 1967, that it was the most exciting Church
year he had experienced, paying tribute at the same time to the dedication of David Balfour
and the support of Phillip Baker and his church.
The next few years continued to be exciting, with some new developments and a certain
amount of consolidation. The interior of the church was completed in 1967. One noteworthy
38 St Ambrose Anglican Church Centennial 1908 - 2008
feature of the interior is the hanging cross. The original brass cross, made by an early church
member, Mrs Wilkes, (mother of Sir Herbert Wilkes, British Ambassador in Libya for
twenty years) was removed from its stand at this time, inlaid into a wooden cross and hung
in its present position above the altar.
It is recorded that the whole unit of vicarage, vestries, church and grounds cost a modest
total of $22,000.
Services at St Ambrose continued along a path of growth. The first Confirmation Service
took place in September 1967. Prior to this time confirmation classes had been held at the
sister parishes such as St Faiths, St Chads and St Michaels. There were some particularly
well attended Baptismal Services on Sunday afternoons (approximately 170 people present
on at least two occasions); combined Services took place with other denominations, e.g. Iona
and with St Michaels. A Tuesday evening Prayer and Praise service began. The new
liturgy was introduced. Janet and David Close, home on furlough from Tanzania towards the
end of 1967 saw a great change, from the two small struggling churches that they had left to
the enthusiastic crowd that they returned to. Unfortunately, as St Ambrose became more
established as a centre of worship, St Anthonys declined, until their one morning service a
month was discontinued because of very poor attendance. Two years later a monthly evening
service call a Praise In was held there for a while. It seems to have stopped because of
difficulties encountered in catering for people with a wide variety of reasons for attending. St
Anthonys of course, continued to function as a church hall.
David Balfours ideal was that the church should be the sort of community that allows God
to communicate Himself. One area in which he saw a great need was that of youth work. In
mid-1968, the monthly magazine was being distributed to 681 families in the church district.
The new subdivision at the end of Breezes Road was expected to add to numbers. There
were said to be close to 1,000 children in Hampshire Street, and apart from what the church
offered, there was very little organised activity for young people. However, the need for
outreach far outweighed the availability of leaders and accommodation.
At one stage the youth club had to close temporarily because of problems arising from
numbers reaching 100 when there were only three leaders. The reluctant decision was then
taken to limit the club to Anglicans when it reopened the following year (1969). Mr Jeff
Holder was a valuable worker in this field of Christian education and outreach. He was also
involved in other aspects of church work. He became a licensed lay-reader for St Ambrose,
had his licence extended to include administration of the chalice (and extended further when
he married Janet). On his suggestion a Parish Education Committee was formed.
Childrens Clubs continued to operate throughout the week. In 1971 there were five separate
groups from pre-school to Form 2. There was also a Youth Club, and a Coffee Club for
senior teenagers who met in an old house at 292 Breezes Road. The Young Wives and
Womens Fellowship groups combined to form an Intermediate group in terms of the new
Association of Anglican Women. St Ambrose adopted a child, Yang Tae Pum, whereupon
the suggestion was made that parishioners make a special contribution for him on their
birthdays, a tradition which still continues. (1984)
Financially the church grew, always coming closer to its aim of becoming a parochial
district. 1968 saw two successful fairs, together netting over $1,200. One interesting fund
-rasing venture was Operation Talentparishioners were given $1.00 which they returned to
the church, having multiplied it in their own way.
1966-1973 39
Despite the achievements outlined for these years, despite the spiritual and material growth,
there remained the problem that often faces small churchesthat of a core of committed
people already working so hard that certain good ideas simply cannot be seen through. There
was, for example, insufficient parishioners support for marking the Diamond Jubilee with
anything more ambitious than a parish social. Another project seen as urgent and necessary
for more than two years but not able to be carried out was the Parish Visitation.
This period cannot be concluded without a mention of the obvious indebtedness that St
Ambrose had to St Michaels. The latter always had two representatives on our committee,
Rev Baker initially chaired the St Ambrose committee meetings and attended regularly
thereafter. They also gave financial help, and there was mutual support given with working
bees, social activities and fund-raising.
In September, 1971, the Balfour family was farewelled. The induction of Graeme Brady
took place the following month.
Rev Graeme Brady was Priest in Charge until Christmas 1973. He is remembered for his
outstanding storiesillustrated with art workat Family Services. The church was so
crowded on some occasions that people began to ask if the building was large enough.
1972 saw the closure of Childrens Clubs and the reintroduction of Sunday school.
At the beginning of the same year the final amount owing on the loan for St Ambrose
Church was paid. The church was now able to be consecrated. The Consecration Service,
conducted by Bishop Allan Pyatt, took place on 14th May.
A highly successful coffee-crafts-crche Womens Group was organised, Penny Brady, Janet
Holder and Janice Newnham being among the leaders. As St Ambrose lacked suitable space,
the Iona Hall and Aranui Public Hall were used.
At this time the vestry faced up to the difficult decision of whether to attempt to operate two
church centres, less than a mile apart, or to consolidate activities on one site. The vestry
decided on the latter course, selling St Anthonys to the Salvation Army in order to provide
money for a hall to be built at St Ambrose.
Right: St Anthony's Church
had a Girls Brigade Club
until the late 1970s.
40 St Ambrose Anglican Church Centennial 1908 - 2008
 Janet Holder, Murita Frost
and Goldie Wilkinson at a
Church Ball at the Town Hall
in 1973.

Miss Parks holding Angela Sister Ella skiing at Porters Pass in 1972-4. (Not sure)
Hickling at her baptism in 1972 Parish Ski and Snow Day.

Rev. Graeme Brady

Nov 1971 - Dec 1973

Kathy Heslop, Goldie Wilkinson,

Rev. Brady, Murita Frost, June
Hickling, Sylvia McLaughlin,
Penny Brady, Ray Frost.

Helen McDonald and

Sylvia McLaughlin
A Social Gathering in the Early 1970s about 1972

1966-1973 41 42 St Ambrose Anglican Church Centennial 1908 - 2008


Chapter Seven
1974 - 1984
ON OUR OWN THE PAROCHIAL DISTRICT OF ARANUI-WAINONI
With the arrival of The Rev. Stuart Edwards in 1974, the plans to build a hall (or parish
lounge) were implemented with vigour. It must have been one of the most ambitious church
projects ever undertaken by voluntary labour. It would have been impossible without the
patience and professional skill of Mr Ray Frost, who led a team of amateur handymenthe
vicar and his sons, Quentin Southwell, Harry Fallows, Gary Hopkins, Brian Richards, Diane
Gibbs, Alistair Clark, Jeff Holder, Hec Barsby, and others, with some assistance from
professionals like Brian Gray, Arthur Gardyne and Ernie Wilkinson. Proceeds from the sale
of St Anthonys grants from the diocese and the Philip Brown Trust, fund-raising, and
voluntary labour enabled the new building to be opened debt-free in June 1975.
You can read more about Ray Frost and all the building and maintenance work he has done
for the parish for more than 50 years on page 92
THE BUILDING OF THE HALL, TOILETS AND KITCHEN 1974 &1975
THE CONFESSIONS OF AN UNSKILLED LABOURER
BY DIANE GIBBS
INTRODUCTION
Well, it has finally come, the extension to the St. Ambrose Church. The actual construction started earlier in
July with the concrete foundations being laid by the experts. Then, we, the Church labourers, came along with
our hammers and started to work. We hoped and prayed our ex-carpenter friend Ray Frost knew what he and
we were doing.
This is not a book but a brief outline of how we got the new extensions. You can read what kind of fun and
pleasure we had during those Saturdays and things we learnt which we didnt know before.
JULY : FAILURE OF TIMBER
Our first day of the building was doomed by the delay in the timber arriving at the church. The blame was put
on the union stoppages and outside the church was a sign which read as follows:- NO WORKING BEEIN
PROTEST OF RAILWAY UNION STOPPAGE!
So no timber, no work. The rest of July was filled with the timber arriving - nails, hammers, sore thumbs and a
few new words
AUGUST 3RD : FAILURE FOLLOWS AGAIN
Timber portals did not arrive so we went to work on finishing putting the floor planks on with flooring nails.
That was nail and hammer day. By the end of the day we had part of the floor laid down around the church
entrance.
AUGUST 4TH : THE NAIL SERMON
You may probably been wondering why I have mentioned a Sunday in this history, well during tea-break in
Failure follows again, Ray Frost and Stuart Edwards were debating as to whether or not the Vicar could do
a sermon on nails. A bet was called for but the Boss wouldnt have it on. He knew very well the Vicar could do
it. Come Sunday the sermon for the day was about -
NAILS: The Vicar said, I quote, Our new extension is being built by nails and prayers.
AUGUST 10TH : TIMBER PORTALS:
Raining cats and dogs as the saying goes. Rain and more rain was the weather report for that day. Also the
beams that were supposed to arrive didnt. That was last week. The delay was caused again by machinery that
broke down For the beams we needed about 20 blokes. Only 10 managed to brave the rain and give a
hand. Today started at 8 oclock instead of the usual 8.30, for at 3.30p.m. we had a wedding due to take place;
So in between the rain we managed to put up the main beams.
At morning tea we were debating whether or not to carry on or call it a day at lunch time. The foreman put a
call through to the weather office, the weather was to clear so all hands (and feet) back on deck. That day we
were known as The darting Yo-Yos of St. Ambrose.
1974-1984 43
AUGUST 17TH : JIGSAW FRAMING
Well, we got all of the flooring laid and then started on the framework. To use it was like putting a jigsaw
puzzle together with a couple of pieces missing here and there. We managed with what we had and by the
afternoon we had the wall frame all nailed together ready to put into place. Todays weather had been about
the warmest we had experienced so far. By the time we decided to call it a day the extension was starting to
look like something. What a great days effort
AUGUST 24TH : ROOF FRAMING AND FINISHING OF FRAMES
For the amount of work that was done there was little to show. Much of it was putting the finishing touches of
last weeks framing. While others got stuck into that, two people decided to have a go at the side beams and
away they went, measuring, drilling holes, putting the beams up and after that they took a peep at the plan!
AUGUST 31ST : WALLS AND ROOF CONTINUES:
Due to the school holidays and with everyone going away, we didnt have the usual numbers of workers
turning up for duty, but we managed to get by with those who did turn up. Putting more finishing touches to the
walls, parts of the floor and side beams. Also going into the frame work and windows more fully. The day went
smoothly overall. One thing we had in our favour which we normally didnt was the dear old weather man. We
just hope he is as considerate to us the coming Saturdays which we have yet to deal with.
SEPTEMBER 7TH : FRAME CEILING
Today we had the most beautiful weather we have had in weeks. It gave us a great start, by the end of the day
we had made a tremendous start to the ceiling etc. Work on the framing still continued while the rest of the
gang braved the heights of the roof and started putting up the ceiling beams. It was just a matter of not looking
down. When darkness did finally come, we found that we were short of nails, wood etc. We hoped that all of
this would arrive during the week for next Saturday so that we could go on with no more delays or stoppages.
SEPTEMBER 14TH : FRAME CEILING AND ROOF CONT.
Well, today we had a good turn out of workers willing to combine their knowledge in getting more of the
building completed; Because there was a variety of work to do we were put into groups of twos and threes for
the day. The aluminium door arrived and was put into place. The roofing on the North side was finished and
more dwangs were put into place. So far there has not been any serious accidents, only a few minor cuts, until
late in the afternoon when one of the workers unfortunately copped it and for a while will be minus a thumb
nail. We wonder what else will happen before the building is finished..
SEPTEMBER 21ST : FACTS AND FIGURES
Today many things were done. We removed the Vestry roofing and cutting the gutting and lining away.
Continuing of joints also took place. We also started the toilet blocks etc. Besides all of this going on, the
unexpected HAPPENED again. The Vicar lost his balance when the roof was being moved into place and fell.
He was saved by a 4 x 3 and the wind..
SEPTEMBER 28TH : FACTS AND FIGURESCONT.
The beginning of the day was spent mopping out the water which a sudden cloud burst had brought. We then
took a good look to see what had and had not been done the week before. The men who were to lay the Vestry
roof were supposed to come but failed to arrive. The start of the building paper is in progress. A few Saturdays
ago we had completed the North side of the building roof sarking. Today we found it had a few curves in it so
more nails were banged home from top to bottom. More roof sarking was added on top of the toilet blocks and
on the kitchen roof.
OCTOBER 5TH : A DAY OF REST
It was declared that today be a day of rest. We all got stuck into those jobs at home that should have been done
a long time ago. By the time we were ready to come back to the building we hoped that the roof layers had been
so that we could start on the building again.
OCTOBER 12TH : STILL AWAITING ANOTHER REST
Another day of rest and like last week we were still waiting for the roof layers to come and do their job. They
must have heard us for they came that day and could only do the wire netting for only half of the timber
arrived. The roof is partly finished and is awaiting completion, with now two holy holes in the Vestry.
OCTOBER 19TH : AGAIN NO OFFICIAL WORKING BEE
When you want something done quickly you usually end up waiting longer for it to be done. This has been the
case with the roofers. The side roof has been completed and now all that remains is the archway roofing to be
done. One of the workers did go up and put the finishing touches of building paper on ready for the bricklayers.
44 St Ambrose Anglican Church Centennial 1908 - 2008
OCTOBER 26TH : LABOUR WEEKEND MARCH 8TH : JOB FOR ONE, JOB FOR ALL
Labour Weekend upon us so there was no working bee this weekend. We hope the roofers have been and Continuing from last week we put more tackboard and match lining up. A start was made on putting up the
finished the roof by next Saturday. The brickies should also have been on the job by now. formica in the ladies, while in the Gents concrete was being laid.
NOVEMBER 2ND : OPERATION CLEAN UP MARCH 15TH : CONTINUATION OF TACKBOARD AND MATCH LININGS
General clean up was the main event of the day. Roofers have been and its near completion. Dwangs were Work today was the same pattern as last week, tackboard and match lining. The match lining in the hall is all
added and the beams are ready for the glass in the archways. With the roof over us now we forget the kind of completed; Only the Church corridor and doorway to toilets to be completed. Tackboard also finished in hall
weather we have for we are always buzzing away in rain, hail, snow or any condition. The Vicar has joined the and now only hall entrance to finish. Last Sunday some more formica was put up, this time in the mens room.
dumb thumb club Diane, Ernie, Stuart! It is not finished but enough is put up so the plumbers can come in.
NOVEMBER 9TH : D DAY MARCH 22ND : FAMILY PARISH CAMP WEEKEND
Today was spent mainly on putting dwangs, dwangs and more dwangs. We were still waiting for the brickies to No working bee as most of us were on the Parish Family Camp at Raincliff.
come. Possibly the glaziers might come and put the glass in the archways. MARCH 29TH : EASTER WEEKEND
NOVEMBER 16TH : SHOW WEEKEND Easter weekend upon us so their was no working bee.
Show weekend upon us so again no working bee. There has been talk now of this daylight saving in the APRIL 5TH : FORMICA DAY
evenings, so we might do a few hours in the evening after work. It would, in fact, speed things up more. Further
details later on. Formica in mens room now completed with just a bit more to the womens to do. More tackboard was put up
in the Church corridor. A start was made on finishing touches of pinex mouldings in main hall. Finishing
NOVEMBER 23RD : THE SECOND EVENT OF 74 touches also to polite that was put up outside.
The extension to the church has been the event of the year. To help finance this, we decided on a MONSTER APRIL 12TH : CONTINUATION FROM LAST WEEK
FAIR. That is Saturday week and today was spent in preparation for same. This has been planned right
through the year and we are all hoping for a really great day. Today was following more or less from last week. All formica in Womens rest room is now completed; Also
nearly finished, is the tackboard in the hall entrance.
NOVEMBER 30TH : MONSTER FAIR DAY
APRIL 19TH : BUSY BEES STILL BUZZING
The fair was a great success. We raised over $3,000 which was really pleasing indeed. Everyone who worked
hard all round certainly had reason to feel proud of themselves. Today, everyone buzzing away doing their thing, one way or another. If I put down all the jobs that were done
today I know I will never stop. Some of the jobs included more tackboard, the doors in the toilets, door
DECEMBER : DAYLIGHT WORK mouldings etc. We really got stuck into in today. We now have sub-contractors coming in with roofing etc., and
With this daylight saving we decided to do two or three hours at night. This is most of the week nights and by the time we are back we hope to be really getting cracking. All who can hold a hammer are needed to help
Saturdays. It speeds up work so that we can finish sooner, hopefully. do those little wee jobs. SO COME ALIVE and HELP FINISH your HALL. We know that our men workers
and others are coming alive by going FISHING next weekend. BRING OF THE FISH WHICH YE HAVE
DECEMBER : PROFESSIONAL JOBS CAUGHT we hope ???...
While we were working in the evenings, during the days the brickies came and completed their work. Another
time the glaziers came, so another job done. The plumber came too but he has yet to finish. Also the electrician
and he also has to finish his work. See them guys back working in 75.
JANUARY : A MONTH OF REST
If you add up all the Saturdays we have worked you will find it is almost equivalent to one month. Unan-
imously, we decided that a month of rest was called for. In February 75 we hope to see back our old faces at
Ambrose and Frost Building Contractors site.
FEBRUARY 8TH : RETURN TO WORKING BEE 75
Back from holidays, all efforts now directed towards finishing off building. The roof lining around the building
was complete. The insulation of batts arrived and were put in for us, so we then started putting up the pinex. Mens Fishing
Trip at Tennyson
FEBRUARY 15TH : PINEX DAY
Inlet in 1975
Today was dedicated to finishing off putting up pinex. It was not an easy job but we managed with the bright
and cheerful team we had, despite the Vicars absence on an unproductive fishing trip.
FEBRUARY 22ND : THE FISHING TRIP THAT WASNT
This weekend the men turned up for a working bee instead of going fishing . Reasons beyond their control.
Bits of all jobs were done, double doors put in place etc. The start of tackboard and match lining was also
started.
FEBRUARY 23RD : SUNDAY AFTERNOON WORKERS
Because of a heavy schedule during March and April, we had another Sunday working bee in the afternoon.
MARCH 1ST : MINI FAIR
Last year we had our Monster Fair, today we had a Mini Fair. This was to sell the remaining goods from last
year. The fair was held in the morning and part of the afternoon. Towards the late afternoon there was a small APRIL 26TH : NO OFFICIAL WORKING BEE
working bee. MAY 3RD : SPECIAL TOUCH JOBS
With the hall almost completed, we moved into the areas where last special touches are needed. As well we still
plead to have those extra helping hands. Today was an odds and ends day eg. pinex in vestry, door mouldings
etc.

1974-1984 45 46 St Ambrose Anglican Church Centennial 1908 - 2008

MAY 10TH & 17TH : CONT. FROM LAST WEEK
On these two Saturdays, we did all sorts of things. We put the sink up in the kitchen, more moulding was done
etc. we now have the sub-contractors coming in doing their part towards finishing of the hall. These are
electricians, roofers etc., with next week the arrival of our painters.
MAY 24TH : P.A.P.D.
We gave this Saturday to our professional and amateur painters. They did very well with more to do. While that
was being done, some more carpentry was being finished. Besides the hall, we are also doing up the Vestry and
the Vicars study.
MAY 31ST : PAINTERS DAY AGAIN
The painters were on the job again with a lot of work involved. They still have a fair bit more to do and they
too will be finished. Again we had many jobs that were done, almost completed is the moulding around the hall,
toilet partitions and also hand basins etc. plus match lining and door varnish. Being almost home and time
moving on, we are having a working bee on Monday. Next week we have the men coming in to sand the floor.
JUNE 7TH : MORE PAINTING JOBS
We had two lots of jobs going. One group on the roof while the other was in full swing inside the hall. More
jobs were still being done e.g. curtain rails for curtains. During now and next weekend it will be a mad-house
with everyone doing their thing. Next Saturday all will be there to help do the last minute jobs, cleaning up,
hanging curtains etc., for the grand opening on Sunday.
JUNE 14TH : THE LAST CLEANUP
So many people with so much to do before tomorrow. No painting outside on the roof as it was raining. Inside
was a different story. There was plenty to do. It was our last tremendous clean-up. We got the most important
jobs finished but there will be a few things to do before it is completely finished.
SUNDAY 15TH - A DREAM FILFILLED
It was raining cats and dogs but everyone was in high spirits this afternoon. The Bishop dedicated the lounge
to finish a wonderful service in which we rededicated our lives as well.
Afterwards we all joined in a fellowship tea, during which a presentation was made to Mr. Ray Frost for his
work as leader of the team. To finish off there was a wine and cheese celebration, capping it off with the dance.
Now we have our new lounge and it is up to us all to make full use of it.
The end
Experimental afternoon services (with pot-luck teas to follow in the new hall) were so
successful that one wonders why they have not been tried in more recent times.
During this period the parish, in association with other local churches and the City Mission,
set up the Wainoni Social Service Centre, which was based successively at the Baptist Hall,
104 Carisbrooke Street, and 68 Hampshire Street. It was staffed first by Miss Pat Davey and
later by Mr & Mrs John Marcon, and Miss Joy Montgomery. It was a cause for regret that it
was not possible for various reasons to maintain the Centre after the Marcons left for training
at St Johns College.
PLASANT POINT
PARISH CAMP 1975
Left: Shirley Gibbs,
Bronwyn Richards, Janet
Close, Ruth Close, Margaret
Steinmetz, June Clarkson.
Right: Sister Ella, and
Bronwyn Richards.
2 on the right unknown
1974-1984 47
BISHOP MAURICE GOODALL Compiled from a chat with Tim Baker
During David Balfours time as minister from 1966-71, David had joined the Territorial Army
Service as a Chaplin. There was a roster of chaplains and he spent about four weeks a year doing so.
It was at this time he asked his colleague, Reverend Maurice Goodall, who was the Christchurch City
Missioner at the time, to take the Sunday services while he was away. Then during Graeme Bradys
time as Minister, 1971-73, (who was also was a Chaplain in the Army four weeks a year), Maurice
again took some of these Sunday services as did Rev Michael Brown.
In 1979, the time between the departure of Rev. Stuart Edwards and the arrival of Rev. Alan Neil,
there was a gap of a year that Maurice Goodall again took some Sunday services. Maurice had a
daughter named Mary who was slightly handicapped. Mary loved to attend St Ambrose with her
father, because, as Maurice tells it, the congregation were so kind and thoughtful towards her, and
later, his new wife
In 1980 Maurice and Mary shifted to a flat in Aldwins Road in Linwood which became the family
home in 1981 after Maurice and Beverley married. Allen Neil officiated at their wedding which was
held at a Sunday morning service at St Ambrose with the whole congregation sharing in the parish
morning tea and the women of the parish later catering for the family dinner in the evening.
In 1984-1990 Maurice was appointed Bishop of the Christchurch Diocese. He was glad to attend the
centennial and commented:
Maurice and Beverley Goodall 12th April 1981 The St Ambrose Anglican Church Centennial was
enjoyed very much with lots of memories and good
times being talked about with familiar faces from
these years. It is good to see the great things the
church is involved with in 2008, outreach, food-
bank, caf just to name some.
(Finish)
NEIL FAMILY 1980-83
ALLEN NEIL
Spanning the ministries of David Balfour, Graeme Brady, Stuart
Edwards and Allen Neil is Sister Ella. She first worked as a lay
person at St Ambrose, entered the Community of the Sacred Name,
and returned to work in our parish for about seven years. Hers was
a patient, caring ministry both for those who attended church and
for those who did not. She won the affection of all.
The Rev. Allen Neil (1980-1983) was noted for the musical talent
he brought to Services, the congregation having previously
enjoyed the guitar as played by Mr Chris Wyatt. No mention of
music can be made, however, without reference to Mrs Sylvia
Thompson, a pianist of outstanding ability and liveliness, who
played at Service for twenty-one years. The church was fortunate
that Mrs Alison Regan, also a very talented pianist, was at hand to
provide similarly inspiring music for the services when Sylvia
Thompson retired.
Another of Allen Neils contributions was the revival of the Even-
ing Services, which had lapsed, and the way in which he used the
more intimate and informal atmosphere of the Evening service to provide teaching and fellowship
for those new to the faith. During his ministry a number of people with special needs (especially
young people) joined the Church and found a real faith. Some of them moved to other churches after
a time, just as the St Ambrose congregation received new members who had been nurtured else-
where.
48 St Ambrose Anglican Church Centennial 1908 - 2008
Other families, who had contributed greatly to the leadership of the congregation also moved Parish Picnic at Spencer Park 1970s
on - the Wyatts, Nettletons, Kennedys, Festings and Holders. The tendency for obvious
leaders to move out of the district, often for reasons of employment, highlights the need for
the development of leadership potential that is untapped in the congregation.
The Holders, during their fifteen years in the parish, made a contribution to Gods work that
cannot easily be described. Both served as Wardens at particular times, and both were
involved in the production of monthly magazines that were attractive, readable, informative
and inspiring (and even that succession of adjectives scarcely does them justice). Jeff had
acted as Christian Education organiser and lay reader; Janet was a caring visitor and
encouraged others to involve themselves similarly; both opened their home, year after year,
to a weekly prayer and Bible study group.

Jeff and Janet Holder meet and were married at St Ambrose.

A Friday night youth
club, started in 1973 by
Mr David Close, Mr
Peter Armstrong and Mr
Alastair Clark, persisted A senior youth club, started in 1983, but with low numbers lasted just two years.
with varying numbers till During the Balfour years weekday childrens clubs operated instead of Sunday School.
1984. Other leaders have When the clubs ceased at the end of 1971, Sunday School recommenced, being held after the
included Mr Peter Morning Service. In recent years the Sunday School teaching has been integrated with the
Fairbairn, Mrs Kathy morning worship, so that the whole family of the church is together at the start and end of
Heslop, Mrs Ila Frost, the service. If the church no longer draws children in their hundreds to Sunday School clas-
Mr Paul Gullery and Mrs ses, or youths in their dozens to clubs, it is at least true that those who do come are much
Allison Regan. A feature more a part of the church family than they once were.
over the years has been
camps in the Arthurs Most members of the congregation have assisted in the Sunday School at some time; Ella
Pass National Park. Fallows and June Hickling; Ellas daughters, Moira and Sandra; Kay Hurst, Shelia Baker,
Cindy Southwell, Jocelyn Clark, Margaret Steinmetz, Margaret Gunstone, Shirley Vodder,
Fay James, and the Pattles. Janet Close had done five years as superintendent; Shirley Clarke
(nee Gibbs), Wendy and Bronwyn Richards are among those who, having passed through the
Mt. White (Arthurs Pass) Youth Group Camp 1980 Sunday School, became teachers themselves.
Back: Tim Baker, Karen Todd, Leah Hurst, Angela Todd.
Front: ???, Ruth Close, Ila Frost, ???, ???, Peter Fairbairn

Parish Picnic at Quail

Island 1978

Winnie Johnson Edith Brand Miss Burson cutting the 70th cake

1974-1984 49 50 St Ambrose Anglican Church Centennial 1908 - 2008

The Womens Fellowship - then known as the Association of Anglican Women (A.A.W.) -
had continued to provide an opportunity for the women of the parish to meet to share their
special concerns. Following the pattern of the congregation as a whole, the group had not
shown significant growth in membership at this time (early 1980s) but has emerged as a
group which provides social activities for the whole parishfamily fun evenings, barbecues,
etc. In so doing, it is continuing the tradition of involving fringe people in church activities.
Leaders of the group in recent years have been: Edith Band, Janet Close, Winnie Johnson
and June Hickling.

Above: One of many nights of entertainment in 1981.

Ella Fellows and Goldie Wilkinson somehow Goldie Wilkinson, Puck Tabak and Ray Frost at a
managed to break a leg and ankle in the same week. church social during the 1980s.

Above x 2 photographs:
1981: Back to School night
Easter 1984: Sunrise Service at Brighton Beach.

1984: Left to right: Ila Frost, Ella Fellows, June Betty Hammond and Yvonne
A.A.W. Wall Hanging With Parishioners Names Embroidered , 1976 Wasley
Hickling, Goldie Wilkinson, Sheila Baker, Liz
Stewart-Smith.

1974-1984 51 52 St Ambrose Anglican Church Centennial 1908 - 2008

 Finances
The giving of the congregation since Aranui-Wainoni has been a separate parish has been
Additional Information on Womens Groups outstanding. (In 1984 about fifty active families gave, on average, about $6.00 per week,
which must be one of the highest rates in the diocese.) Paradoxically, however, St Ambrose
The changing names, numbers, venues and character of womens groups over the past thirty has always seen deficit or close to deficit, because the number of committed families has
years could almost be a study in itself. never been high.
Reference has been made in Chapter 5 to the development of Young Wives group For ten years from 1966 St Ambrose was a Mission District attached to St Michaels Parish,
(originally Womens Fellowship) in the 1950s. In those years the emphasis was on with assistance in money and manpower coming from the parish. Gradually, the assistance
deepening the spiritual life of the members and helping them to become more thoughtful was phased out to enable Aranui-Wainoni to become independent as a parochial district in
mothers. In 1960, when the roll had grown to 65, the group divided in order to meet better 1976. At this stage, St Ambrose was very close to financial independence.
the needs of its members. The younger members remained as Young Wives, and the older
members formed a Mothers Union. Six years later this latter group renamed itself Womens Unfortunately, however, in the years that followed, New Zealand experienced a very high
Fellowship in order to make it clear that all women were welcome. rate of inflation. In some years giving was not able to keep up with inflation, especially as
there was an outflow of key families from the parish in these years. Over the decade as a
Meanwhile, in 1962, the St Ambrose Young Wives Group decided to hold its meetings at St whole, giving has kept ahead of the ordinary rate of inflation, but the churchs expenses,
Anthonys, the newly opened church centre in Wainoni. In 1964, a year which saw some because of the nature of the work it is engaged in, have increased even more rapidly.
difficulties in leadership and increased activity at St Anthonys, it was decided that there Strenuous efforts to raise money through fairs reduced the deficit, but nevertheless, the
should be two groups, one based at St Ambrose and another at St Anthonys. Neither group church fell into arrears of several thousand dollars to the diocese. On the appointment of Rev
was particularly strong, and in 1967, a year after St Ambrose and St Anthonys had been Allen Neil in 1980, the diocese promised an annual grant of $7,000, which increased in 1984
united in the Aranui-Wainoni Mission District, the two groups amalgamated as the Aranui- to $8,000. Despite this generous assistance, the parish was still in arrears to the diocese, and
Wainoni Young Wives Group, meeting at St Anthonys. It was a stronger group, with a roll ironically, the church was more dependent on the diocese financially than it was a decade
of 42, though some were sleeping members. earlier, even though giving had increased significantlysee table. The congregation didnt
seem unduly daunted by this situation, and any reader of this history will readily realise that
A further merger was not far away. In mid 1969 the group moved back to St Ambrose for its
there was seventy-five years of precedent for financial shortfalls. Gods work goes on.
meetings, and, in the following year, joined with the older group to become the Aranui-
Wainoni Womens Fellowship. For two years meetings were moved back to St Anthonys, Giving to the church (Cash Offertories and Envelopes)
but in 1972, when it was decided to sell the centre to the Salvation Army, the group returned 1973 to 1974 $4,383 See Note A
to St Ambrose. 1974 to 1975 $5,556
1975 to 1976 $6,746
Over the years the activities of the womens groups have changed in character David
1976 to 1977 $7,280
Balfour, as vicar, was the most frequent guest speaker at meetings; he spoke two or three
1978 to 1979 $6,917
times a year. In contrast to the emphasis on motherhood and spiritual growth in the 1950s,
1979 to 1980 $6,655
there were, in the sixties and seventies, more social evenings, more visits to places of interest
1980 to 1981 $8,041
and more demonstrations of practical skills. An annual event which has now lapsed was the
1981 $11,329
taking of elderly people for a drive and entertaining them at afternoon tea afterwards.
1982 $12,386
It is interesting to speculate about the reasons why the womens group developed into three, 1983 $15,673 See Note B
and why those three groups were later reduced again to one. It may be that there is a close
Note A: The parish received a grant of $331.00 from St Michaels in 1973-1974, and had a
link between numbers in Sunday School, numbers in womens groups, the average age of the
shortfall in income of only $390.00.
population in the district, and the number of women in the workforce.
Note B: In 1983, despite increased income and a grant of $7,000 from the diocese, the
It is also interesting to note the contrast between the ups-and downs of the womens groups parish was still in arrears.
above and the stability and cohesion of the Sewing Bee over almost forty years. Led in
recent years by Goldie Wilkinson, Murita Frost and Ila Frost, the group appears to have
functioned very much as it did in the thirties. Stalls were held on the Frosts lawn at 322
Pages Road barely fifty yards from the spot where stalls were set up decades earlier. Where
once the major effort was the Missionary Market, it has in more recent years been the annual
parish fair. During the 1980s a Monster Fair was organised by Arthur Gardyne and a Mini
Fair organised by Quentin Southwell.

1974-1984 53 54 St Ambrose Anglican Church Centennial 1908 - 2008

 Chapter Eight This Fund helped in funding a group of people interested in developing their Ministries. We
met on Tuesday mornings to talk over their work.
1984 - 1991
REV. PAUL BATHURST 1984 - 1989 Involved in this group were:
(Reverend Paul Douglas Bathurst) Shirley Horne, a Social Worker, who came from Christchurch City Mission.
Written by Paul Bathurst Rob Ritchie, a Priest, who was interested in Bicultural Community Development.
REV. WILL CHILDS AND REV. FRED GLOVER AS INTERIMS 1989 - 1991 Liz Woodward, a Teacher, who had a Ministry in Second Chance Education at Christchurch
City Missions Mount Grey Downs. She continued this work among us.
St. Ambrose is my ideal Church Community Liz also ran Bicultural Seminars, provided pastoral care and made sermons and attended the
local Ministers Association meetings.
I wanted to be there. Janet Close was also involved.
I approached Bishop Pyatt when I knew that Allen Neil was leaving and felt like I was Roger Maaka held Maori Language Liturgies firstly at Nga Hau E Wha Marae. Then moved
coming home when I arrived. to the Church and held the service after the 9.30 Eucharist.
I knew of the legendary reputation for hard work and giving and wanted to be a part of a In joining the increasing awareness of things Maori we learnt the Lords Prayer and some
caring ministry reaching out to the local community. Maori Language Hymns.
Ann Armstrong and later Pat Beaumont staffed the Office in the mornings to provide a The nationwide economic climate was changing. The effects of Rogernomics were being felt
presence in the buildings. by rural parishes throughout the diocese St. Ambrose was being seen less as a special case
Ray Frost built a ramp into the side entrance of the Hall to provide Wheelchair Access. for financial assistance from the Diocese.
Later he helped to redesign the landscape to better access to the side office door and create We did try getting a greater income from the Church Fair by moving to Merivale one year,
less of a Fish Bowl effect for the occupants of the Vicarage. but it did not work. We didnt make any more income and the Sewing Bee preferred their
This meant changing the location of Miss Parks Rose Garden and re-orientation of the fence work to go to local people, so the following year we had it at St Ambrose again.
line to create a car parking space. I was encouraged to supplement the income of the Parish by taking up a Chaplaincy in the
Territorial Army and provided ministry support for the developing church community in
Parklands.
We did want to provide a healing community that was inclusive, open and accepting. Facing
the difficulties and dilemmas in being real over this was a core value and was not without
its cost.
In my quieter times, I often reflect back to the time I spent at St .Ambrose. I am a better
person for being their and deeply value the simple joys being apart of a genuine Christian
Community.
Paul Bathurst.

Bishop Goodall was concerned about the relatively low numbers of full time workers in the
Eastern Parishes and asked Synod for funding for an extra clergyperson for East
Christchurch for three years.
While Synod agreed to this, the Parishes themselves felt that the money would be better
spent on a number of workers and the East Christchurch Ministry Group was formed to The marriage of Mr Paul and Joanna Le Febvre. The wedding day of Paul Bathurst and Kahu Sweeney in
manage the fund. Pictured are Joannas five children. 1990. Pictured is Roger Maaka and Barbara Stevens.

PAUL BATHURST 1984-1991 55 56 St Ambrose Anglican Church Centennial 1908 - 2008


Goldie Wilkinson, June Hickling, Winnie Johnson
and Joyce Fowler at a garden party in 1985.
Liz Stewart-Smith, Sheila Baker, Church Camp at Woodend 1986
Kahu and Manea Sweeney.
REV. FRED GLOVER
My account of my time during 1989-1991 at St Ambrose is one of fondness and happy
recollection. How I came to the Parish, I do not know. I did not have any official
appointment. My daughter, Ann, had been in the Parish and knew about its needs and its
wonderful spirit. I went there to offer help, particularly in the food bank work.
There was a resident vicar at the time, but he moved on, and I offered my help. Some of the
stalwarts, devout Christian folk, stand out in my mind. Otway and Liz Woodward, I name
first of all. Otway, a scholar, gave his services in playing accompaniment for the singing. He
was not a skilled player, but his wish was to keep the singing going. His wife, Liz, was a
tremendous worker too. At the same time there was the powerful presence of Alamein
Goldie Wilkinson, Kahu Bathurst, Ella Fellows and Connell, a Maori woman with great mana, having authority over the Maori children who
Hukarere Waiwatai came.
I have always been a keen baritone singer and have constantly been a church goer all my
life, so I could give a strong lead to the singing at St Ambrose.
The people of St Ambrose were devout and lived their faith, reminding me of St Matthew
saying, In as much as you have done it unto one of these, the least of my brethren, you have
done it unto me. I was hungry and you fed me, I was in prison and you visited me. They
looked out with compassion and sadness to be seen in the community among whom they
lived, and had responded in a practical way in the founding of the food bank. This included
clothing as well. This extension of such work, as the City Mission did, was assisted by gifts
from other churches. To come begging was not easy for many who came, but the warmth, un
-judging care they received helped their emotional state. Records were held of those who
came, to watch out for exploitation and discovering other needs persons might have.
Roger Maaka
For a time there was a genuine wish to support the use of the Maori language in worship but
this ultimately did not integrate well.
When I went to the birthday Centennial Celebration, I was so glad to be among those whom
I remembered and who welcomed me with affection. St Ambrose has always been a family
feeling and I have been privileged to belong.
Other names I could mention but should end what is really too long a recollection.
My near neighbour known as Goldie, (Goldie Wilkinson), has always been so loving - so
clear a picture of what our Lord has called us to be.

With Love and affection to all, keep the faith, in season and out of season.

Fred Glover
Movie theme party 1989 Farewell to Paul, Kahu and Manea in 1989

Recollections from Liz Woodward of Pauls time as Minister:

*Very informal off to the dairy in bare feet *Very people orientated- has a heart for people. *Comment like
having Jesus among us after he had gone. *Huge circle of contacts *Instituted the Tuesday the A.M.
Ministry team *Feedback on Sunday *Share ideas *Plan for week *Gave tremendous support to team and trust-
ed us and listened to us *Encouraged innovation growth *Set up support system for parklands with out a minis-
ter and sent a team once a month to take their service and provide music *20 years on people still ask about him
*Brought in non-sexist hymns and some Maori language to the services. Fred also took the odd service prior to 1989 when the Minister was
From Sheila Baker: absent and he baptised his four granddaughters at St Ambrose.
Being a bachelor helped make Paul extra popular. He had plenty of time for people. He had many meals at
peoples houses, so he got to know them well.
He was involved with bible studies. A service was held Sunday evenings. Often after the service was finished
people would stay behind to play cards games etc.
Paul was known in the area and the number of baptisms rose during his time as minister.

PAUL BATHURST 1984-1991 57 58 St Ambrose Anglican Church Centennial 1908 - 2008

 Chapter Nine Youth Group and Sunday School pics 1990s
1988 - 2001 YOUTH GROUP

Tim Baker - It is hard to remember the exact time I started up a youth group at St Ambrose. As a child I went
to church with my mum, Sheila Baker, from when I was born until about 8 years of age.
I started attending St Tims Anglican Church in Burnside in about 1986. I went there because my eldest brother
Steve had been attending and became a Christian. I enjoyed being with nice people my own age (especially
the girls) and attended a junior youth group on Sunday evening before church and then a senior group on a
Monday night. I used to bike over from Aranui twice a week for a long time and used to think about life and
what for.
In 1987 I decided that there was a God and became a Christian. About 1988, my girlfriend Liz and I, after
talking it over with Paul Bathurst, took on the roles as youth group leaders and Liz also took the Sunday school.
There were about 10-15 children already in the parish. Every Friday night we met at the church and played
games inside and in the warm weather out on the grass in the reserve. We had a bible study for about 10 Ruth Baker nee Cousins - youth group and Sunday Corrin and Keith Heron and Chris Brougham
minutes each night. The last thing we all did before dropping the children off at their homes was to watch a school teacher 1990s
new T.V. programme that we all loved (and still do) The Simpsons.
Unfortunately, due to my immature youth (20 years young) Liz and I parted and she left St Ambrose. I carried
on with the youth group and a little later my now wife Ruth helped. In the summer we went on outings to mini
golf, sailing with Ray Frost, B.B.Q.s at Pleasant Point, swimming at Q.E.II., day trip fishing at Pigeon Bay and
much more. We also had a camp each year, usually at Loburn. The children loved Loburn although it was very
basic and had old buildings.
My mum Sheila Baker helped out when we introduced the children making dinner for the group. Each week 2
-3 children made hot dogs, pizza, toasties or baked potatoes etc. It proved to be very popular.
Faith and Charlie Tohu had joined the parish by this time. They were full on with a commitment to the youth
and got on well with everyone. They took the Sunday school and helped with the youth group which grew in
numbers. They were at St Ambrose for about two years.

Yachting at South Brighton Domain - Friday evening Halloween night

1989: Charlie and Faith Tohu with a group of youth

group kids in front of the van purchased by the parish to
transport the youth as well as to take out the senior
members of the parish on outings.

There was a change of Minister in 1991 with the arrival of John Flavell. I thought this was a good time to move
on and help the community in other ways. I started helping at Aranui Primary School with sport and other
Fishing on the Pier Arianwen and Teri David and daughter Sue Tevita loved to eat Teri Armstrong - spring service
activities and then in 2001 I joined the schools Board of Trustees and today I still remain in this role.
About 1999 2001 I helped Toni Wagg with the youth group. My role was taking 2 or 3 children a night into
the kitchen and we would bake a cake, cook scones or biscuits etc. We made plenty so that everyone could
have supper but also the children that baked could take some home as well.
It was during this time, when Mike Coleman had just started as the minister, that the youth group organised a
quiz night fund raiser. This is how the frequently held quiz nights started. The children also made supper for
everybody at the quiz night. This was a great way to introduce the youth group children to the parish as not all
came to church.
These were good nights as were the day outings. My fondest memory was when fishing off the wharf at Pigeon
Bay with about 10 children. To everyones surprise, including mine, I hooked a 1.6 metre long shark. It took a
while to wind it in. This was the biggest fish I had caught and when I gutted it, it wasnt only the kids that
almost threw up. We all took home enough fish for our families tea.

Tim Baker Ben Houghton, Corey Kennedy, Darren Aitchison, Richard Jeffs, Sam Sam Verbitsky, ? Heron, Keith Heron
Verbitsky and Aidan Jeffs - rehearsal for service Prince of Egypt 60s night

YOUTH GROUP 1988-2001 59 60 St Ambrose Anglican Church Centennial 1908 - 2008

 Toni Newman (Jeffs, Wagg) youth Group Leader With the help of Liz Woodward finding funding, a group was able to attend a Y.M.C.A camp in the summer of
In 1996 South Brighton Union Church invited St Ambrose to participate in performing for their concert with 2000. That Christmas (1999) the Youth Group and Sunday School got dressed up and paraded in the New
the theme of spring. Charlie Batterbury, our priest-in-charge at the time, handed the task over to Ruth Baker, Brighton Christmas parade. For the new millennium , the youth group put different things in a time capsule and
Kath Olliver and I to involve the young people. We had a meeting at my place and a skit was born out of farm put it somewhere in the church. In 2050 we will open it, if we remember.
animal jokes. This we performed using the young people and a new member to our congregation, David Wagg. Because of illness preventing me taking up Youth Group again in the New Year, Tim took over again (until
This is where Ruth Baker got the idea of resurrecting the youth group. We had a meeting at Ruth and Tims 2001) without us.
house and with the aid from two people from Scripture Union, put a plan together. We wrote a letter to Charlie
requesting permission to start a Friday night youth group. Charlie at this time was taking a Sunday afternoon Toni Newman
session. We started a fortnightly Friday night Youth Group at the beginning of 1997 with two of my sons, (Jeffs, Wagg)
Richard and Aidan Jeffs and two neighbours of Ruth and Tims, Corrin and Keith Heron. We enlisted Lee
Brown and David Wagg as co-leaders with Ruth and me. As Kath was already taking Sunday school she did
not wish to take on Youth Group as well but still supported and helped us with ideas. We missed her bubbly
enthusiasm when she left for Palmerston North. Charlie also left our ministry and Rob Thomson guided our
parish left with no minister.

Bishop David
Cole baptising
Aidan and
Richard Jeffs
in 1996

New Brighton Christmas Parade Ready for a Y.M.C.A. Camp 1999-2000 holidays
Saturday 27th November 1999 Standing: Arianwen, Joseph, Ben, David Wagg
Word soon got around and we had to cap the roll at twenty. In 1998 David and I married and took over the
running of the youth group with Tim taking over Ruths place as a leader. It was run like a sixties style of youth
group with games, craft and theatre sports. There was no formal bible study but each night would have a theme
loosely based on the Whole People of God. We would start off, as the youth arrived , with the table tennis
tables etc out and when everybody was present would move into organized group games and then into craft etc.
When Tim joined us he would also take a different group cooking. We would make every alternative time out
to places like South Brighton Park, QEII, and yachting with Ray Frost. Some youth group members and leaders
attended a weekend training in puppetry, dance etc at St Martins in Spreydon. We would hold family, church
and youth group fun nights as the sixties night which coincided with the anniversary of the Yellow
Submarine release and an Ice cream, night. We had plenty of concerts performed because the youth loved the
theatre.

Last youth group night 1999 - Darren, Joseph, Corey and Johny Lee Brown - co-leader making chocolate

L-R: Johny Williams, Ben Haughton, Joseph Facing the storm Combined Youth Group and Sunday School
Williams, Richard Jeffs - Behind-Aidan Jeffs Youth service 1999 service Advent Sunday November 1999

Once a term we would join up with the Sunday School and take over the morning Church Service. We did not
make it compulsory for the youth to attend but most did and enjoyed to participate. Their parents would attend
these services and the social event afterwards. The church and hall was decorated and we would perform
mime, dance, sing, and puppetry etc. Some of the themes were Spring with and an inside picnic afterwards,
Facing The Storm, a winter service, with Stone soup and buns afterwards, The Prince of Egypt and others.
Mary Axcel, the diocesan youth minister of the time was a great help and support to us with these services.
Mary Axcel also helped us with the camp we had at Spencer Park in the October 1998 school holidays.
Unfortunately this coincided with my mothers death the week before. We still went ahead with the camp with
the theme of choices and most enjoyed the experience.

YOUTH GROUP 1988-2001 61 62 St Ambrose Anglican Church Centennial 1908 - 2008

 Chapter Ten
1991 - 1993 REV. JOHN FLAVELL
(Reverend John Flavell)
Written by Tim Baker
By 1991 most of the parishioners
were proud that they could sing
songs and say the Lords prayer in
Maori as this became part of the
church services.
The appointment of a Maori
minister was an exciting
opportunity to develop the bi
-cultural church further.
Rev. John Flavell and his wife
Heather lived in the Vicarage
that had been rented out since
Paul Bathurst left in 1989.
Heather was ordained during
their time in the parish and
worked along side John.
One young man, Terry Timuti-
mu, who was a youth group
member then a helper spent
time with John as well as others
in the community and like his
grandfather is now ordained and
preachers part time as well as
being employed full time as a
teacher in Auckland.
Terry and his wife Rose are
looking to work full time in the
mission field shortly (2009).
Ella Fellows in the church.
Ella got on well with John and
Heather and when she passed
away on 17th April 2003 John
took part in her funeral service
at St Ambrose.
JOHN FLAVELL 1991-1993 63
A retired ex-serviceman, Bill Trotter owned
and lived at the property next door, 311 Breez-
es Rd. John Flavell got on very well with him
and Bill allowed the parish to use his backyard
as a community garden.
In about 1994 Bill Trotter passed away and in
1996, during Rev: Charlie Batterburys time
the property owned by the parish at 331 Breez-
es Road was sold and this one was pur-
chased.
An access to the garden was made through the
fence behind the vicarage. Some of us were
sceptic about the practicality of a community
garden, but it worked well. 2009 there are approximately ten community gardens in Christ-
church including one at Aranui Primary School, (official opening 30th October 2009), which I am
involved with. Good vision John
When I first looked at this photo of Ella and Harry Fellows, I thought to myself I wander what Harry
is filming. I looked on the reverse side and saw the date and realised it was when he was filming
Ruth and my wedding on the 11th January 1992.
Right: Jackie Winter, Ruth - nee Cousins, Tim Baker, Paul Keating, Tim Cook, Kaleb Roberts,
Jeremy Cook.
During this time, Otway Woodward was appointed as an
elder in the parish. Both he and his wife Elizabeth (Liz)
committed a lot of time to the parish. Otway was a retired
professor of history at Canterbury University and Liz was
retired from many work places including, a secondary
school teacher, a teacher at Mount Grey Downs teaching
reading and writing to people over 18 years of age who for
different reasons didnt finish secondary education. She
worked with Steve Apirana taking people from the
Cathedral Square away for weekends. Liz with Otways
help did the cooking. Her first introduction to Aranui was
going into peoples homes teaching reading and writing.
She also worked with probation clients teaching some to
read and write and teaching others to teach others to read
and write.
They lived in Southshore and later in North New Brighton
and then at Palm Grove Retirement Village in Shirley.
Otway passed away in 2006 and Liz continues to participate
and worship at St Ambrose.
Two caring, knowledgeable, wise and loving people.
Otway and Liz Woodward
64 St Ambrose Anglican Church Centennial 1908 - 2008
 Chapter Eleven
1994 - 1998 REV. CHARLIE BATTERBURY
(Reverend Charlie Batterbury)
Written by Charlie Batterbury
Charlie with Winnie Johnson Ruth Baker and Kath Armstrong with the Sunday School-1998
The family I grew up in has had a long association with Aranui and St Ambrose Church.
We moved to a home our parents purchased around Christmas 1954 at 127 Pages Road, and my sister
Ann, and brother William, and I, started at Aranui School as it was then, in February 1955.
I went into Standard 2 but was moved straightaway into Standard 3 with Mr de Bazin, and possibly
that year with Mr Clifford also. In Standard 4 we had Mr Marshall at first, and then Mr Anderson for
the rest of the year. Mr Fred Cutler was the Headmaster.
Aranui School
1955 Standard 3
Charlie is in the middle row
second left
We went to St Ambrose Sunday School, and Ted Harrall was one of my teachers.
We went to cubs and brownies, and scouts and guides. In cubs, which was held in the old St Am-
brose I think, I had Mrs Flanagan as Akela and Allister Flanagan as Balu, who also gave me a ride
down on the bar of his bike each cub night. In Scouts in the Aranui Hall the Scout Leader was Don
Hunter, and Ray Terras was also a leader.
Becoming Vicar
It was interesting when the St Ambrose Nominators in April/May 1994 asked the Bishop if they
could interview me as a possible half-time Vicar.
When I met the Nominators in the Church Hall, I somehow knew this was for me, and apparently
they felt the same.
So I was appointed and we were inducted on May 20th 1994.
It was suggested that our family move into the Vicarage, but we were not keen for a number of
reasons: We had just moved into our own home in Casebrook in December prior, our youngest had
just started High School in the area we lived, and another had just started University. Also, the initial
appointment was for one year, and renewable depending on finances. No way would we want all the
disruption of moving three times in 18 months!
The Nominators had asked how I felt we would work with me being half time when all previous
Vicars had been fulltime, would I come just two Sundays per month? I suggested that no, I would be
on each Sunday. But perhaps not preach every week. That I would nominally start on Wednesday
afternoon be on Thursday and Friday and Sunday morning for the three days, that is six half-days.
In the event, I was sort of on seven days, in that I had the phone diverted to our place out of office
hours, because I feel that a church phone is best routinely answered by a person and not an
answer-phone. Vestry Meetings were on a Tuesday night which I was happy with, also Ministers
meetings and Archdeaconry was Tuesday, so I had to be flexible.
However I also had to earn the other half of my income, so I had a number of little manufacturing
businesses that I ran, one of which was communion ware, chalices and patens etc, and a portable
home communion set. But also Star newspaper delivery bags and carriers, second hand mobility
scooters etc.
I had been running a box assembly operation on the night shift at Applefields at the Halswell Packing
Plant when the Nominators approached me, and the following year the owner of the business asked
me if I would be available again. I discussed this with the Ministry Team, and Vestry who basically
said Go for it, which I did. This meant that with five nights a week on the night shift, and six half
days at St Ambrose I was working eight days a week! I couldnt do it now, but it was fun at the time.
I did this for two seasons whilst at St Ambrose.
Wainoni School: I didnt think that I would have the time to teach Bible-in-Schools in the parish,
which I had done for my whole ministry, and I see as wonderful outreach and great contact with the
Community. However by an interesting chain of God-instances, I was invited by Principal Jack
Morris at Wainoni School to teach not BIS, but team teach with the classroom teacher, Christian
Education and Moral Development as he called it, in a Standard Three and Four double class room
team-taught class, with class teachers Terry Whitley, and Barbara Robson. This was probably one of
the most worthwhile and interesting things I did in the Parish, and possibly have ever done, a lot
because Jack Morris was such a capable and interesting Principal. He called me Reverend Charles,
with the kids, which is then how they knew me. Good morning everyone, I would say and Good
morning Reverend Charles! the class would respond!
There was no Youth Group when I arrived, but I saw the Form Two class of that year as next years
Youth Group, so when people said We dont have a Youth Group, I said Yes we do, there they
are! That would also neatly cover the attrition usually experienced when kids move to High School.
And when we were invited to send reps from our Youth Group which we didnt have, to a Youth
Synod at St Martins Spreydon, I asked the Sunday School teacher to take them, which she did, and I
told them, You are next years Youth Group. I subsequently started a Youth Group with Mrs Julia
Cattermole as my mature woman sidekick. It ran on a Sunday Night, with Bible Study, games, and
then shared fish and chips tea.
The Sunday School was running, and I did my best to encourage it and the teachers, and it functioned
well all the time that I was there.

CHARLIE BATTERBURY 1994-1998 65 66 St Ambrose Anglican Church Centennial 1908 - 2008

The Sewing Bee continued to run strongly and well and were absolute gems in their support of the Over the years many parishes have supported Aranui, St Michaels for example in the 60s and 70s. In
Church in so many ways in my time, including supporting and encouraging me. They had raised my time Heathcote-Mt Pleasant and Rev Chris Parry-Jennings, Avonhead and Rev Mike Hawke,
funds over the years and provided so much for the Church, I think piano, photocopier, typewriter just Upper Riccarton and Rev Phillip Robinson, were sterling. Avonhead gave us the unsold items from
some that I knew of, and in my time the beautiful coloured glass window in the West end of the their Fair each year, providing we didnt pick and choose and took the whole lot, and wow was that
Church. Their end-of-year Christmas Parties, to which I was invited were something to experience! ever a good basis for our annual Fair! So each year we ran a good Fair, which was quite a highlight,
The house next to the Church came up for sale, and I said we ought to sell the one we owned down and attracted lots of local buyers.
the road, and buy it, for future strategic purposes. Ray Frost said that he had always said that and the We had two Alpha courses in my time, the introductory one, and follow-up one, both run by St
two of us schemed together and managed the feat. It is to my sadness that after I left it was sold. Christophers, Avonhead, who provided the dinner and leaders. We were wrapped that they did this
The Food Bank ran and grew while I was there, and although I had not much to do with the day to for us.
day running of it, they did that well, I did encourage them, chaired their AGMs, and managed to get Overall, I very much enjoyed my ministry among the lovely people of St Ambrose, who were a great
for example, Smiths City to give us a larger chest freezer, and took my share of picking up food for support to me while I was there, in the work we all did in the Church, and in the work we all did in
them when required. the Aranui-Wainoni District. Having grown up in the area, I think that God in Christ had a lovely
The Parish had been Bi-Cultural starting with Rev Paul Bathurst, and more deliberately with Revs sense of humour in sending me back to be their Vicar!
John and Heather Flavell, who were supported half time by Te Wai Pounamu. Although it started
that way with me in that for example I was interviewed by Bishop John Gray, who endorsed my
appointment, and I went to the Maori Synods, and tried to get them to send Maori priests to celebrate
and preach occasionally etc, we were really on our own. However in this I was ably assisted by Mrs
Alamein Connell, who was also my Vicars Warden.
Our Peoples Warden was Mrs Paul Rutledge, who really was my right hand throughout my time
there. She was superb in her counsel and support, and I think that things went reasonably well
because of her input.
Being half-time was not easy nor at all satisfactory really in that the parish deserved not half-time,
but I would say at least two full time clergy plus other professionals there as well. The Parish brought
in about half what was needed financially, and the Diocese the other half to make me half-time. But
we were basically always told that we were lucky to get that, and should be grateful, and that might
not last. So that was hanging over my head the whole time. I tend to put my heart and soul into
things, so I found that quite hard, and eventually they did pull the funding. Ho hum!
I dont think the hierarchy really knew what to do with East Christchurch and it certainly is a hard
area to minister in. Whilst saying that the Christians who were in our parish were salt-of-the-earth
ones and as fine a Christians as you would meet anywhere, and highly supportive of me, for which I
am truly grateful.

Rev. Charlie Batterbury and Rev. Paul Bathurst had been close friends for a long time.

They were completely different in personality and brought different strengths to the parish during
each of their time as minister.

Above: Liz Stewar t-Smith, a long time parishioner

Left: Kath Ar mstr ong. Kath was par t of the par ish
from the April 1994 when she shifted into 26 Doreen
Street, until April 1999 When she moved back north to
be with her family. She helped with many things in-
cluding the Sunday School. Although she wasnt here
long, she left a happy, lasting impression with every-
one.

CHARLIE BATTERBURY 1994-1998 67 68 St Ambrose Anglican Church Centennial 1908 - 2008

 Chapter Twelve
1998 - 2001 ENABLER - REV. ROB THOMSON
(Reverend William Robert Thomson)
Written by Tim Baker
It had often been difficult to appoint a
minister who would fit the Aranui parish.
1998-2001 was one of these times. This
didnt mean that the parish work comes to a
stand still, it just meant that the parishioners
had to do a little more than their usual.
Rob Thomson was appointed to oversee the
parish and to take Sunday services. At this
time Rob worked full time at A.C.C. There
were a lot of parishioners who hoped that he
would apply for the full time position as he
was liked by everyone, a happy, thoughtful,
kind natured person. Although Rob was part time and became redundant when Rev: Mike
Coleman was appointed he left a lasting impression on everyone. Thanks Rob. Photo:
Peter Gunston, Rob Thomson & Ray Frost
Picnic at Geraldine
The parish of Geraldine invited the Aranui
parish to a day out at the Lilly Gardens. They
subsidised the bus hire and provided lunch.
They were very generous and for some it
was the first time in a long time that they had
had a day away with their children.
Philip Brown Trust
Every year the Philip Brown Trust would
deliver about 50 sacks of potatoes to the
church with about 200 smaller empty plastic
potato bags for the parish to fill and deliver
to needy people in the district.
Of course there were
the regular Parish
Concerts.
Left: June Hickling and
Ray Frost
Right: Liz and Otway
Woodward performing
a comical duo
VEGGIE CO-OP
Liz Woodward with the help of Tony Jeffs
organised a veggie co-op for parishioners
and other local people.
Vegetables were purchased in bulk from the
Veggie Pot in Prestons Road for a discount-
ed price. They were delivered each fortnight
to the Marshalls garage at 35 Rowan Ave.
A roster of those in the co-op, who were able,
was made and four people each time would
sort the vegetables into boxes.
For $5.00 a good box was bought and those
with bigger families would buy double. This
worked well for a long time. However the
truck was often late and some people didnt like some vegetables and eventually it was de-
cided to end it.
For myself and Ruth it was good. On reflection I think the savings wasnt as important to a
lot of people as thought it would be when it was first started. I guess that even the people on
lower incomes arent so poor by world standards.

Youth Group
Tony Jeffs was the leader at this time with Liz Stewart-Smith and June Clarkson at a
me, Tim Baker, as a helper. parish weekend at Hanmer Springs
See chapter nine for details.
Most years Ray Frost would bring his yacht
to Pleasant Point Domain where the youth
group would have a picnic or B.B.Q., play
and sail.

ROB THOMPSON 1998-2001 69 70 St Ambrose Anglican Church Centennial 1908 - 2008

 Chapter Thirteen
2001 - 2006 REV. MIKE COLEMAN
(Reverend Michael Sean Coleman)
Written by Mike Coleman
2002
Congregation
Robyn and I arrived unannounced one Sunday morning in late 2000.
Bishop David Coles had invited us to check St Ambrose out with the
possibility of me being priest there. As we sat down in church and looked
around we realised we were numbers 10 and 11 in the congregation. It
was a standard Eucharist until we got to the Sign of Peace. At this
moment these small group of people came alive. There was a real sense of
warmth and genuineness in these folk, real down to earth Christianity.
When we held hands and sang The Blessing at the end of the service, I
felt the Holy Spirit was close to these people and it was at that moment I
knew Robyn and I would go and minister together with the people of
Aranui. During the 2002-3 year Tina Worrell and Julie Williams began A-Z Budgeting Services using part of the Caf
and Church Office. Through some key funding applications and support from Rodney Rutledge at Anglican
St Ambrose had faced difficult decisions leading up to this time. Would Cares Family and Community division we raised enough money to take over the Vicarage. Within the year we
they combine with another Anglican Church close by or even close down began Ambrosia Empowerment. This was our service and care ministry to the people of Aranui. The Trust
altogether. What they had in abundance, however, was a spirit of courage developed rapidly over its first years. Teams were further developed for the food bank, interviewers, caf
and faith with people like Ray and Ila Frost, June Hickling and Liz and welcomers, packers, people making toasted sandwiches. A-Z began training new budget advisors, a kids
Otway Woodward. Just a few of the people who gave so much to St Am- programme called Zacs Klub was started through support by Agape Trust. Other services began to spring up
brose and need to be honoured for such faithfulness. like the Public Health Nurse, Maori Legal Services, a parenting group and social work students doing their
In our first year together as a church we all got involved to look at how placement. All combined to make Ambrosia and St Ambrose an important part of supporting the people of
we could slowly turn this church around. Vestry, wardens and the church Aranui. We were strongly supported by our City Council who gave us excellent funding for the tremendous
congregation were so supportive of new ideas and ways of doing church. We unscrewed pews and turned the work we were doing.
church onto its side, we painted walls inside and outside the church, and we put up a new notice board. I re-
member Ray and I getting the church ready for Christmas Eve Midnight Eucharist; we were painting the wall
behind the altar a few hours before it began. Opening of the Ambrosia Trust
Sunday Eucharist was changed to a structured informality. Only a few liturgical responses were made within
an open and friendly service. New worship songs were introduced and we created a worship team with Sam
Verbitsky on bass, myself on guitar and Alamein Connell and Ruth Baker singing. St Ambrose slowly gathered
new folk, we had begun our journey.
As, what was now known as the St Ambrose Anglican Community, moved into 2002-3 we began formulating a
vision of who we were. Everything we did fell under three clear categories: our Life in God, our Life together
and our Life for Others.
We began Wednesday Eucharist and shared lunch. We decided to redevelop the hall and together with Sumner
Anglican, our Sewing Bee, headed by our faithful Goldie Wilkinson, we created the Ambrosia Caf. Walls
were painted new Resene colours, tables and chairs purchased and curtains made. The women from Sumner
Anglican painted pots, made signs for the new caf and crafted the beautiful Mirror on the wall in the Cafe. We
even added more carpet to the church plus a wooden Ambry sitting to one side of the altar. Some time later I
managed to get funding for new chairs in the church which replaced the old wooden pews.
We also began to have a significant outward looking focus and began raising money and supporting the Rishi
People in Bangladesh and the Eleazar Trust in Oxford along with increased focus on our own district of Aranui.
The Caf became the hub of the social life of the church and a meeting place/reception area for people in
Aranui wanting a food parcel or just a coffee. We had our quiz nights and mid-winter dinners in the caf and
near the end of every Sunday Eucharist we came from the church to the caf for a cuppa as part of our worship.
It was here we sang the The Blessing together to finish our Eucharist. There was a real buzz about the place
and perhaps we began to realise some of the greatest worship we could do was to show fellowship and love for
one another.

Ruth and Tim

Gladys and Baker reading
Maurice Bradford, the questions
Huge McDonald at a
& Ernie Baker at a quiz evening
Bishop Coles, Leanne Dalziel & Mike Coleman at the John Merilees, Ila Frost, Goldie Wilkinson,
quiz evening opening of Ambrosia Margaret Merilees & Liz Woodward helping with
the food bank

MIKE COLEMAN 2001-2006 71 72 St Ambrose Anglican Church Centennial 1908 - 2008

Within the church itself we continued to develop teams of people. The Music team was run by Colleen Robb
who brought passion to our worship. Kwasi eventually took over on the piano offering a real blues and jazz feel
to the worship. Over the next few years we developed a Worship team as good as any Anglican Church. Sam
Verbitsky showing real maturity on bass and our tremendous singers with John Weaver and Ray Keown. I real-
ly missed our team of guys when I left. We had built up a bond that I will always remember.
We also had people like Anne McCormack organising and running Services for the Disabled which continues
to this day.

Sam Verbitsky as Father Christmas Christmas 2002

An Alpha programme run with the assistance again from Sumner Anglican and prayerful folk like Winifred and
Albert Pope, people with real biblical integrity.
The Kids Club on Sunday was run by Robyn, my wife, and Toni Newman. Both showed a genuine love for the
kids over many years.

Shirley, Sheila Baker, Goldie Wilkinson, Sam Verbitsky, Alamein Sue Newell and daughter Hannah, Linda Morgan - nee Verbitsky,
Connell, Ruth Baker, Jean Mead, Gladys Bradford Debra Morgan and son Aniren, Elli-May Morgan

Kids Club taking part in a
Christmas service.
Sheila Baker was the Peoples warden for most of my years at St Ambrose. Sheila gave so much of her energy
and time to the church; from treasurer, to Vestry and Board member, to Caf and food bank volunteer. She was
a tremendous asset to St Ambrose and continues to give sacrificially to the church to this day.
A number of clergy were also part of St Ambrose at various times; Jean Mead, a beautifully hearted Deacon,
Paddy Chrisp and Tom Innes both gave support for which I was very grateful for.
My greatest supporter and confidant was Ray Frost. He was my Warden and go to man. He did anything I
asked and he and his wife Ila gave everything they could to St Ambrose. Ray practically made all the ideas and
visions we had come to fruition. I have much to be grateful for in Ray and Ila and I honour them deeply.
As we moved into the latter years of my ministry at St Ambrose I began to share my vision of what it could
mean to be a kiwi Christian church. What came forth was the Koru Cross and a small book called Koru
Christianity. Eventually all the church and trust people held a major celebration with Bishop David. People
from the Church and Ambrosia were commissioned with a Koru Cross and book. What made it special was the
unveiling of the stunning carved wooden Koru Cross sitting over the altar. Carved out of West Coast totara by
Christchurch artist and Baptist Minister Kim Peters. This is truly a beautiful part of St Ambrose and one of the
nicest crosses in the city.
It was in the middle of this time that I experienced some serious illness in the family. Eventually it was time for
Robyn, myself and our children to move on. We had experienced amazing ministry with an adventurous people
open to God. It was a precious time of ministry with the wonderful people of St Ambrose Anglican Church.
The Ambrosia Trust was thought of as part of the parishes work although people from outside of the parish
were employed. There had to be a separate identity set up (The Ambrosia Trust) because to apply for grants
(money) there has to be a trust.

Trucella Chrisp, Ernie Wilkinson, Paddy

Chrisp and Otway Woodward

David Close and Brian Richards Jan and Bob Tutty & Mike Coleman

MIKE COLEMAN 2001-2006 73 74 St Ambrose Anglican Church Centennial 1908 - 2008

 Chapter Fourteen
2006 - PRESENT REV. ANDY CARLEY
(Reverend Andrew Mark Carley)
Written by Andy Carley
Just for a couple of months
Could you go and look after St Ambrose, Aranui while Mike is away? Itll just be for a
couple of months. Those were the words with which Bishop David Coles invited me to
come and minister in Aranui. Well here we are, three and a half years later, celebrating over
100 years of Anglican mission in Aranui and Wainoni, and Ive enjoyed every moment of
my time here.
When I arrived at St Ambrose in April of 2006 I was following in the footsteps of Revd
Mike Coleman who had worked tirelessly to establish a social services trust operating out of
our premises. It soon became apparent, though, that this work had become something of a
victim of its own success which necessitated a review and a trimming back of the services
offered to three core initiatives of offering budgeting advice, an emergency foodbank, and a
drop-in-caf, all administered by employees of the Ambrosia Empowerment Trust. My
mission, therefore, has been slightly different: to bring financial independence and stability
to the parish, together with strengthening the spiritual and theological roots of the church, as
well as to oversee the work of the trust. It has not all been plain sailing, as Ray Frost might
say.
In 2008 funding became an issue for the trust when one of the major grant providers adopted
a new policy of only funding one project in each geographical area and we were forced to
close the budgeting service. With the budgeting service gone the decision was taken to
disband the trust and for the church to take over management and running of the foodbank
and caf, just as it had done in the past.
This has been a blessing in disguise as the people of St Ambrose engage in Christian mission
through practical service unhindered by the requirements and limitations of outside funders.
Over the last three years parishioners have dug deep into their own resources and giving has
increased dramatically, from an annual total of $18,320 in 2005 to $29,000 in 2008, an
increase of some 60%. At the time of writing its looks as though parishioner giving for 2009
should total around $40,000; with a total annual income of $79,000.
Yes, we still have some way to go to reach our goal of financial independence as we still
receive $24,000 a year from the diocese and other parishes to support our mission here, but I
am confident that, as the congregation continues to grow, the good people of St Ambrose are
more than up to the task of reaching our community with the good news of Jesus Christ.
At the time of writing, with the signs of increased giving and attendance at the Sunday
services, vibrant home-groups and bible studies, regular mens breakfasts, Alpha courses, a
growing Sunday school, a Mainly Music program for pre-schoolers, church services for the
disabled, regular quiz nights, film nights, weekly prayer meetings, regular prayer services
for the whole parish, the annual ANZAC service, and a community newsletter delivered to
nearly 1000 houses, things are looking good.
In much of this work since November 2008 I have been ably assisted by the Revd Bob
Henderson whose pastoral skills and ministry to children have been invaluable.
For my part it has been a privilege to serve in this parish, I have never known such
generosity of spirit and commitment to each other as here. Yes, the Anglican Church is
alive and well in Aranui-Wainoni.
October 2009

Quiz night Mike and mum Rebecca Mullaly And Tim Lindley
Above: Farewell to Tom Innes.
Tom knew Mike Coleman and came to Above: Anna Verbitskys son Caleb being baptised.
help out at St Ambrose during Mikes time
until 2007.

Gladys Bradford, Sheila Baker, Tom Innes,

Andy Carley, Albert Pope, Dorothy Innes,
Joel and Micah Innes.

Bottom: Kwasi Manti-Worrall, Sam

Verbitsky, Andy Carley, Charlie
Verbitsky, Linda Morgan and Alamein
Connell. Mike Mee, Ernie Wilkinson, Mary Mee, Ruth, Ray Frost, Sam Verbitsky, John and Chrissie Weaver
Kimberley and David Baker and Ray Keweon

ANDY CARLEY 2006-PRESENT 75 76 St Ambrose Anglican Church Centennial 1908 - 2008

 Wednesday communion and lunch
taken by Andy Carley
Andy Carley, Albert Pope, Linda Morgan, Liz
Woodward, Thelma Wells, Paul Rutledge, Gladys
Bradford, Ila Frost, Rodney Meirs, Mardi Muirson, Ernie
Wilkinson, Winifred Pope, Kevin Little, Ray Frost.
Goldie Wilkinson taking the photo.
Garth Muirson and Sheila Baker (missing)
Thursday afternoon bible study taken by Rose
Lindley and Bob Henderson
Ruth Baker, Linda Morgan, Bob Henderson, Stewart
Wederell, Kevin Little, Rose Lindley
Chrissie Weaver (missing)
Tuesday afternoon bible study at John and
Chrissie Weavers place
Mike Mee, Peter Wilkes, John and Chrissie Weaver,
Sheila Baker.
Mary Mee (missing)
Sunday school
Teachers: Rose Lindley, Bob Henderson.
Ruth Baker (missing)
Children: Jody and Jade Mullaly, Kimberley Baker
in blue, Sam Major-Johnstone in red, Terry Manera
in green, Aimee Manera in pink and Zane Major-
Johnstone in grey
Monday morning music time taken by Ruth
Baker and Bob Henderson
Children: Markus, Uriah, Eligh, David, Charlie,
Kaleb
Parents: Anneleise, Anna, Eddie, Ruth Baker Bob
Henderson
ANDY CARLEY 2006-PRESENT 77
A.N.Z.A.C. Day Commemorations
In 2005 the Aranui Playcentre Committee along with Tim Baker, Mike Coleman from St Ambrose and Steve
Reid organised an A.N.Z.A.C. Day Church Service and commemoration for the 50th year of the Aranui War
Memorial Reserve and Building (Playcentre).
A service was held at St Ambrose Church, afterwards a flag raising outside the Playcentre building, a short
speech, prayers, sounding of the last post, laying of a wreath and poppies.
This service was followed by entertainment by Natural Magic for the kids, a Aranui & Wainoni history slide
show, caf at St Ambrose church hall and a lunch time hangi with live music in the Aranui Community Hall.
By 2007 there were over 100 people at the service and 200 hangi tickets sold. This has become an annual event
for local people as well as people who grew up in the area and those who simply like this style of
commemoration. Many of us had never been to an A.N.Z.A.C. service/commemoration before.
2006 Aranui School took part Robyn Beardsley raising the flag. We remember his brother Garth who past away in 2008.
Garth, Robyn and 2 other brothers grew up in Aranui. Garth fought in W.W.11 and
attended the Aranui A.N.Z.A.C. Day Commemorations.
School cadets Placing a poppy The last post
Sheila Baker and Ila Frost 2009 Andrew Gilmore Lifting the Hangi
preparing scones and tea solo musician
While writing the book Aranui &
Wainoni History, Christchurch, New Zealand,
I met many older people who fought
in W.W.11 as well as reading and
being told stories about others from
the district who fought in other wars.
I devoted a chapter to these soldiers
and are humbled by the huge number
of past locals who fought to protect
US. Over 160 men fought and at
least 17 died. Lest we forget.
Baker whanau eating Hangi Wayne Perrett - past organiser
78 St Ambrose Anglican Church Centennial 1908 - 2008
 Chapter Fifteen The afternoon was a time for past and present parishioners to catch up over a drink and
afternoon tea. Speeches were made and pleasant memories put smiles on everybody's faces.
Centennial 22nd & 23rd November 2008
It was a pleasure to here one or two say that they werent sure if they wanted to come but
were so pleased they did. The St Ambrose community spirit soon returned to them.

In 2007 Centennial Committee was formed -

Rev. Andy Carley, Sheila Baker, Ruth Baker,
Ila and Ray Frost and Goldie Wilkinson.
It was general consensus that a low key cel-
ebration where people past and present could
catch up.
The church archives were searched and
photographs were asked for from past and
present parishioners. As you can see many
people had photographs mainly from the
1960s until very recent.
The Centennial Cake was iced by June
Hickling (as have many cakes been iced for
the parish as well as birthdays etc.).

The Anglican Archives had few photographs but there are sketches and architects drawings
of the present day church and additions shown in this book. I, Tim Baker, volunteered to
compile this centennial book but decided to wait until 2009, after the centennial weekend as
people brought more photographs and information to the weekend, I also knew it wouldnt
be completed on time. I also filmed a lot of the weekend and this film D.V.D. is in the
church archives.
Saturday 22nd November began with a slideshow in the Aranui Community Hall next to the
church. There was a selection of about 100 photographs which created a great atmosphere of
laughter, comment and recognition of their younger faces from the past.
The slide show lasted for about an hour and then we went to the church hall.

CENTENNIAL WEEKEND 79 80 St Ambrose Anglican Church Centennial 1908 - 2008

Brian Stevens, Murita Frost, Kaye Hurst, Sheila Baker Front: Janice Newham, Dorothy Grieve, Sheila Baker Morris Goodall and Andy Carley ready to eat Ray Frost, Charlie Batterbury, Tony Newman

Sheila Baker, Pat Dawson, Alamein Connell, Ernie Tim Baker, Bishop Morris and Beverley Goodall,
Wilkinson, John Tonkin Margaret Miller, Craig & Nadine Williamson 3 front: Carol Dath, Linda Morgan, Hillary Carley Alamein Connell, Sonja Pegg, Ruth and her brother
Stephen Close

Andy Carley, Goldie Wilkinson, Ila Frost, Ray Frost, Rev. Mike Coleman speaking about Brian Richards standing next to Craig and Nadine Ray Frost, Jocelyn Clark, June Hickling, Rev. Charlie
Jocelyn Clark Koru Christianity Williamson Batterbury

Goldie Wilkinson cutting the cake, Rev. Andy Carley, Rev. Mike Coleman Minister 2001-2006 Heather Timms, her sister Alison Clarkson,
Janet Close speaking about the good times had Liz Woodward on the right Goldie Wilkinson

CENTENNIAL WEEKEND 81 82 St Ambrose Anglican Church Centennial 1908 - 2008

 St Ambrose Centennial Church Service
Sunday 23rd November 2008
Rev. Bob Henderson, photo-
graphed in the photos above and
below, a volunteer helper to the
parish has devoted a lot of time to
Sunday School, study group, as
well as many other areas of the
church, is extremely appreciated
by the parish for the work he does
(from October 2008).
The Church Service was attended by most people from the
previous day. I will describe the service in some detail as to
record a typical St Ambrose Church Service of the early 21st
century for those who read this in the distant future.
Welcomed at the door by parishioners, a roster determines who
takes responsibility for most jobs during a service, people sit
down where they are comfortable and generally chat in a low
voice until the service starts. A welcome and notices followed by
a prayer begin the service. Music including songs in Maori,
guitars and keyboard. Readings from the bible, sermon involving
the children, offertory, communion with grape juice as an option
to wine in small individual glasses, a blessing and holding hands
for the grace, then to the hall for food, a drink and catch up.
CENTENNIAL WEEKEND 83
Some thoughts from long time parishioners - past and present
Goldie Wilkinson - Having been at St Ambr ose since the 1960s, the anniver sar y was an
opportunity to remember past times. Ila Frost, Sheila Baker and I started sorting through
photographs for display, reviving many memories for us and those who attended.
Another very special memory for me was my confirmation in 1967. It was the first time a
confirmation was held at St Ambrose. (See page 42)
It was great to see so many of our church family, past and present, together and an honour
for me to cut the anniversary cake.
June Hickling - The Centennial Celebr ation at the St Ambr ose Chur ch for myself and
my daughters Wendy, Gail and Susan, who attended, we thoroughly enjoyed every part of it.
To see so many of the familiar people arriving was just awesome. It felt like coming home
again.
Going into the church held many memories of people such as Miss Parks, Ella and Harry
Fellows, Edith Brand, Irene Rogers, Silvia and John Thompson and so many others.
St Ambrose can be proud of the celebration they must have worked so hard to prepare. May
the parish of St Ambrose continue to serve the people of the district as they always have.
I look forward to the next reunion.
Jeff and Janet Holder - Two things stand out for us fr om a ver y memor able after noon.
The first, to have the opportunity to renew friendships with a number of people who, like us,
were part of the St Ambrose family through the 1970s. Some we hadnt seen for almost 30
years, but we are still friends, a testimony to the depth of fellowship we once enjoyed.
The second really encouraging sign was that St Ambrose is still true to its mission - to
glorify God and to give its people opportunities to reach out to the community with the love
of Christ.
Janet Close - Wher e has the last 25 year s gone? I well r emember the 75th anniver sar y
celebrations as they were at the start of a traumatic period in my personal life. Looking back
at photos of that celebration 25 years ago, I'm aware of how many of those same faces, albeit
25 years older, were present last November at the centennial celebrations.
Many of us moved from Aranui many years ago, yet the relationships made then have
remained strong. St Ambrose has always been a caring community, good at welcoming new
-comers and supporting those in need. In my own dark days, the people at St Ambrose
wrapped their arms around me. In the 1970s we used to sing, "They'll know we are
Christians by our love....". The numbers who returned last November are mute testimony
that the love experienced at St Ambrose continues to draw us back across the years. Twenty
five years fell away in the twinkling of an eye.
Jocelyn Clark - It was a r eal joy for Alastair and I to be pr esent at the Centennial as it
meant renewing old friendships and catching up with family news. A favourite chorus we
sang regularly at St Ambrose was: Bind us together Lord, bind us together with cords that
cannot be broken, bind us together Lord, bind us together, bind us together with love. Thee
is only one God, there is only one King, there is only one body, that is why we sing.
I believe this was the secret of the success of the Centennial. The Service on the Sunday was
very different from the format we experienced when we worshiped there (1973-1988) but we
rejoice that our Lord Jesus Christ is still central to their faith and that the Parishioners are
continuing to grow in their knowledge and love of Him.
With warmest greetings,
Jocelyn Clark
84 St Ambrose Anglican Church Centennial 1908 - 2008
Names of those who attended the Centennial 22nd & 23rd November 2008
David and Joyce Iggo, (their daughter Sue Charmley nee Iggo not written), Isabell Watt, Margaret Miller,
Stuart Wederell, Sister Helen Goggin, Margaret Walley, Hec Barsly, Trusella Dingle, Paddy Chrisp, Dorothy
Innes, Janet and Jeff Holder, Tom Innes, Mike Coleman, Lucy & Sarah & Michael & Aaron & Peter Gunstone,
Patrick Fergusson, June Hickling, Maurice and Beverley Goodall, Daphne Rogers, Dorothy Grew, Perk and
Case Tabak, Peter and Ann Armstrong, Fred Glover, Al and Joc Clark, Charlie Batterbury, Annette Taylor,
Linda and Scott Morgan, Alamein and Neil Connell, Tony Newman, Ruth close, Fay Ellis, Alison Carter,
Heather Timms, Gladys Bradford, Sonya Degg, Pat Kirkpatrick, Barbara Tonkin, Jean Mead, Wendy Wiremu
(nee Hickling), Sue and Chelsea Hickling.
CENTENNIAL WEEKEND 85
Stephen Close, Sam Verbitsky, Ray Hurst, Kahu Apiata, Janice Newham, Janet Close, Denise Jackson, Ray
and Ila Frost, Julie Williams, Sandy Hall, Carol Dath, Sheila Baker, Andy and Hillary Carley, Goldie and Er-
nie Wilkinson.
Others include: Ruth & Tim & Kimberley & David Baker, Mike and Mary Mee, Albert and Winifred Pope,
Nadine (nee Armstrong) and Craig Williamson.
EPILOGUE
So after 100 years of ministry in the Aranui & Wainoni districts of Christchurch, 100 years
of ups and downs, of good times and, lets be honest, not so good times, where to from here?
Well it remains our primary goal to reach others with the good news that Jesus Christ is the
only one who brings in hope and salvation to all who call upon his name. St Ambrose
Anglican Church has been blessed with the varied and vital support of other parishes in the
diocese in order to supply full time ministry, without this support ministry in Aranui and
Wainoni would be that much harder, in fact history has shown that when less than full time
ministry has been available the parish has struggled to meet the needs of the community and
suffered decline. That said, we long to be a fully self-supporting parish, able to minister to
the very real needs of those in our community and, while history may be against us on this,
we feel confident that this will come to pass.
October 2009
Revd Andy Carley
86 St Ambrose Anglican Church Centennial 1908 - 2008
 Appendices Church Committee/Vestry Members 1928-2008
Note: The year is the first in which the person served as an officer-bearer in the church. We
have no records before 1928; some of those who held office in 1928 had clearly done so
earlier.
List of Ministers 1908-2008
Mrs Hill 1928 Misses Kelly 1950
H. T. Purchase Mrs Rowland 1928 Mrs Sutton 1951
1908-1913 5 years Mrs Sprosen 1928 Mrs Phelan 1952
H. H. Mathias 1913-1921 7 years Mr Sprosen 1928 Mrs Clarkson 1952
Mr R Spronsen 1928 Mr Holmes 1952
C. W. MacLaverty 1921-1923 2 years Mr Lovell-Smith 1928 Mr Turner 1953
Mrs Crawford 1929 Mr Lee 1953
E. E. Malden 1923-1929 6 years Mrs Fletcher 1929 Miss Park 1953
H. Nelson-Wright 1930-1931 1 year Mrs Wallace 1929 Mr Sanger 1954
Mr J Knight 1929 Mrs Claridge 1954
Walter Southward 1932-1938 6 years Mr C Low 1929 Mr Mullinson 1955
Mr C Kibblewhite 1931 Mrs Johnson 1956
H. Harding 1938-1941 3 years Mrs Benbow 1931 Mrs Sanger 1956
Clem Knight Mrs Shamy 1931 Mr J Scott 1956
1941-1945 4 years Miss Norris 1931 Mr T Scott 1956
Reg. Williams 1945-1949 4 years Mr Harding 1931 Mr E Harrall 1956
Mr Hill 1932 Mrs Lee 1957
Walter Robinson 1949-1952 3 years Miss Rowland 1932 Mrs Moore 1957
Walter Kent-Johnson Miss D Newman 1932 Mr W Cox 1957
1953-1957 4 years Miss I Wheeler 1932 Mr Claridge 1958
Roy Andrews 1957-1960 3 years Mr Thomas 1933 Mr Ashton 1958
Mr Philpott 1933 Mr G Eccles 1959
Alban Purchase 1960-1965 5 years Mr Elliot 1933 Mrs Smith 1959
CurateMichael Brown Mrs Elliot 1933 Mrs Brand 1959
Mr E Burgess 1933 Mr F Dalton 1959
David Balfour March 1966-Sep 1971 5 years Mr R Blacklock 1933 Mrs B Searle 1960
Graeme Brady Miss Richards 1933 Mr Batten 1960
Nov 1971-Dec 1973 2 years Mr Fletcher 1934 Mr Seymour 1960
Stewart Edwards Feb 1974-Feb 1979 5 years Mrs Scott 1935 Mr Hepenstall 1960
Mrs Reeve 1935 Mr Stubberfield 1960
InterimMaurice Goodall March 1979-Oct 1979 7 months Mr Ingram 1935 Mr B Middleton 1960
First vicar of Mr Campion 1935 Mrs Bennison 1961
Allen Neil Feb 1980-Nov 1983 3 years St Ambrose Mr Lilley 1936 Mr D Downs 1961
Paul Bathurst Feb 1984-May 1989 5 years ( See page 4) Mr Manhart 1936 Mr C Clarkson 1961
HelperRoger Maaka Miss A Morris 1938 Mrs McLaughlin 1962
Mr F Moyse 1939 Mr Flanagan 1962
InterimFred Glover and May 1989-March 1991 2 years Mrs Manhart 1939 Mr Timms 1963
Interim Will Childs Mrs Georgantis 1939 Mr Gunstone 1963
May 1989-March 1991 2 years Mrs Richards 1940 Mr G Holmes 1966
John Flavell March 1991-Dec 1993 3 years Mr Stanhope 1941 Mrs B Tonkin 1966
Mrs Byers 1941 Mrs M Frost 1966
Charlie Batterbury May 1994-Aug 1998 4 years Mr Bendall 1941 Mrs F Ellis 1966
EnablerRob Thomson Mrs Buschl 1945 Mr K Newnham 1966
Sep 1998-July 2001 3 years Mrs Gibson 1945 Mrs J Newnham 1966
Mike Coleman July 2001-March 2006 5 years Mr Le Breton 1948 Mrs B Harris 1966
Mr Fournier 1948 Mrs J Aitcheson 1966
Andy Carley March 2006-Present Mrs Lindon 1948 Mr M Caundle 1966
Miss Parkins 1948 Mr M McLaughlin 1967
Miss Burson 1948 Mrs G Wilkinson 1967
Mr McNae 1948 Mr H McDonald 1967

The average length of ministry at St Ambrose is 4 years.

APPENDICES
87 88 St Ambrose Anglican Church Centennial 1908 - 2008
Mrs E Hargetts 1968 1988 1999 2007
Mr J Holder 1968 Vicar - Paul Bathurst Vicar - (Rob Thomson as Enabler/Priest in charge) Vicar - Andy Carley
Mrs E Fallows 1969 Vicars Warden - Ray Frost Bishops Warden - Otway Woodward, Alamein Bishops Warden - Tim Lindley
Mrs S Fraser 1969 Peoples Warden - Sheila Baker Connell Peoples Warden - Sheila Baker
Miss J Neild 1969 Synods Person - Janet Close Peoples Warden - June Hickling Synods Person - Albert Pope
Mr H Fallows 1969 Vestry - Peter Armstrong, Sherlee Richards, Brian Synods Person - Otway Woodward Vestry - Linda Morgan, Jan Tutty, Alamein
Mr C Baker 1970 Richards, John Thompson, Alison Regan, Joanna Vestry - Toni Wagg, David Wagg, Kath Oliver, Connell, Bob Tutty
Mrs S Baker 1970 Lefebvre, Mihi Bishop, Ann Armstrong Audrey Lumsden, Gladys Bradford, Liz Woodward,
Mrs Holder (nee Neild) 1970 Linda Verbitsky 2008
Mr F Fallows 1971 1989 Vicar - Andy Carley
2000
Mr W Paterson 1971 No records available Bishops Warden - Tim Lindley
No records available
Mr H Toms 1971 Peoples Warden - Sheila Baker
Miss M Wood 1971 1990 2001 Synods Person - Albert Pope
Mr C Wyatt 1971 No records available No records available Vestry - Linda Morgan, Sam Verbitsky, Alamein
Mr K Sheldon 1972 Connell
Mrs S Richards 1972 1991 2002
Mr G Hopkins 1972 No records available Vicar - Mike Coleman 2009
Miss P Harvey 1972 Bishops Warden - Ray Frost Vicar - Andy Carley
Mrs M Steinmets 1972 1992 Peoples Warden - June Hickling Bishops Warden - Tim Lindley
Mr D Close 1973 No records available Vestry - Linda Morgan, Heather Timms, Matthew Peoples Warden - Sheila Baker
Miss D Gibbs 1974 Smith, Gladys Bradford, Sheila Baker, Ray Keown, Synods Person - Albert Pope
Mr A Gardyne 1974 1993 Alamain Connell Vestry - Linda Morgan, Chrissie Weaver, Alamein
Mr P Armstrong 1974 No records available Connell
Mr R Frost 1974 2003
Mrs I Rogers 1975 1994 Vicar - Mike Coleman
Mrs C Southwell 1975 No records available Bishops Warden - Ray Frost
Mr W Pattle 1975 Peoples Warden - Sheila Baker
1995 Synods Person - Sam Verbitsky
Mr Nettleton 1975
No records available Vestry - Ruth Baker, Linda Morgan, Alamein
Mr Q Southwell 1976
Mr H Barsby 1976 1996 Connell
Mr B Gray 1976 Vicar - Charlie Batterbury
Mr B Richards 1976 Vicars Warden - Alamein Connell 2004
Mrs A Armstrong 1977 Peoples Warden - Paul Rutledge Vicar - Mike Coleman
Mrs R Lush 1977 Synods Person - Otway Woodward Bishops Warden - Ray Frost
Mr J Macron 1977 Vestry - Ray Frost, Liz Woodward, Brian Richards, Peoples Warden - Sheila Baker
Mrs J Close 1979 Gladys Bradford Synods Person - Sam Verbitsky
Mrs D Barsby 1980 Vestry - Linda Morgan, Alamein Connell, Ruth
1997 Baker, John Weaver, Albert Pope
Mr D Festing 1981
Vicar - Charlie Batterbury
Mr R Oram 1981 2005
Vicars Warden - Alamein Connell
Miss W Richards 1981 Vicar - Mike Coleman
Peoples Warden - Paul Rutledge
Mrs J Hickling 1982 Bishops Warden - Ray Frost
Synods Person - Otway Woodward
Miss J Fowler 1982 Peoples Warden - Sheila Baker
Vestry - Ray Frost, Toni Jeffs, Kath Oliver, Brian
Mr J Thompson 1984 Synods Person - Albert Pope
Richards, Liz Woodward, Gladys Bradford, Ani
Stainton, David Wagg Vestry - Ruth Baker, Jan Tutty, Alamein Connell,
1985 John Weaver
Vicar - Paul Bathurst
1998
Vicars Warden - Ray Frost 2006
Vicar - Charlie Batterbury
Peoples Warden - Quentin Southwell Vicar - Andy Carley
Vicars Warden - Alamein Connell
Synods Person - David Close Bishops Warden - Ray Frost
Peoples Warden - Paul Rutledge
Vestry - Alamain Connell, Kees Tobak, Sheila Peoples Warden - Sheila Baker
Synods Person - Otway Woodward
Baker, John Thompson, Cindy Southwell, Ann Synods Person - Albert Pope
Vestry - Toni Wagg, David Wagg, Kath Oliver, Ani
Armstrong, Joanna Lefebvre Vestry - Jan Tutty, John Weaver, Linda Morgan,
Stainton, Gladys Bradford, Liz Woodward, Lisa
Smith Alamain Connell, Ruth Baker, Mike Mee, Ray
1986 Keown, Bob Tutty
No records available

1987
No records available

APPENDICES
89 90 St Ambrose Anglican Church Centennial 1908 - 2008
45
Baptisms: 1909 - 2008
Ray Frost
Over 50 years voluntary maintenance and building
40
Ray and Ila Frost bought their section at 320 Pages Road in 1952 and then in 1954 Ray built
35 the garage which they lived in for three years while Ray built the house. It is not that Ray
is a very slow builder, the house was mostly built after work and in weekends.
30 During this period Ray and Ila occasionally went to Church at St Ambrose. In late 1958 Burt
Gunstone asked Ray if he would volunteer his labour to build a kitchen and toilet on, the
then new, church built in 1957. He built the framing at home and then brought it across the
25
road to the church and began erecting it. However, before it was finished Ray went to
Burwood Hospital to have his appendix out and it was finished by another parishioner, Bruce
20 Middleton.
Soon after the Vicarage was built in 1966, Ray poured the concrete driveway.
15
During 1975 Ray temporarily resigned from the Vestry Church Board to avoid any conflict
of interest that may arise while he was again foreman overseeing the building of the new
10 Church Hall.
(Repeated from page 43) It must have been one of the most ambitious church projects ever
05 undertaken by voluntary labour. It would have been impossible without the patience and
professional skill of Mr Ray Frost, who led a team of amateur handymen
You can read a comprehensive diary of the building of the Church Hall/Lounge on page 43.
Other maintenance/work Ray has continued to do and still does include: *Constructing
1910 1920 1930 1940 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 08 seating/storage in the hall *Painting the roofs twice *Building fences, gardens, signage
boards, etc *Varnish the hall floor at least twice *Handyman jobs such as curtain rails,
fixing the toilets, etc, etc. *Overseeing tradesman *And much, much more..
While preparing the roof for painting (one time) Ray went home for lunch leaving Sharon
On page 35 an explanation is given to the population growth of the district. The graph above
Foote, who decided to carry on with water blasting. She soon discovered why you shouldnt
corresponds with the population growth as well as other influences.
where jandals while doing so. Ray arrived back and she had shot her toe nail off. OWLSH!
How many people per house hold has not been
And then there are the church rental properties. 331 Breezes Road was left to the church by
3000 researched. This graph shows an estimate based on the Mrs Buschl after her sister, Miss Park, died in 1976. This was a run down old house
age of houses in the area in 2008 as well as what is needing a lot of maintenance. Ray doesnt remember all the work he did here but it was a lot.
2750 recorded in books. The figures are not exact but for this The property beside the church, 311 Breezes Road was purchased in 1996, which also
exercise are sufficient. required a lot of maintenance, and 331 was sold to pay for it. The land behind the house was
2500 This graph shows that the amount of baptisms in the
earlier part of the century reflect the increase in pop-
used as a community garden during Rev. John Flavells time. It was intended that at some
2250 ulation but in the early 1960s until the 1990s their stage the whole property could be used for church purposes. Owing to a lack of finances the
parish decided to sell 311 Breezes Road with it selling in October 1998.
2000 were other influences such as the Billy Graeme
crusades and other evangelical movements.
On the 24th March 2009, while trimming back flax bushes along side the driveway leading
1750 Another influence in the amount of Anglican to the Vicarage, Ray decided (for some crazy reason), to try using a circular saw. Now Ray
baptisms is the growth of other churches in the waves with 3 & 1/2 fingers and a thumb.
1500 area from the 1950s onward. Iona Presbyterian
Church was build opposite in 1956 as was the
Without Rays voluntary work a lot of
1250 Seventh-day Adventist Church in Pages Road. maintenance would have either not have been
done or some things would not have been built
1000 Today there are about 14 or so churches in the
Aranui and Wainoni districts. In 2008 I estimate at all. There have been a lot of parishioners that
750 have given a lot over the past 100 years and
that well over 1000 people, (maybe Ray being one of them deserves a big thumbs
500 nearer 2000) are in church in this up.
area each wee, however, most travel
250 from other areas including
some St Ambrose members.

1910 1920 1930 1940 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 08

APPENDICES
91 92 St Ambrose Anglican Church Centennial 1908 - 2008
Part of our
community
for over
100 years

ISBN 978-0-473-15344-1