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Waiareka Parish
The beautiful and fertile district of Waiareka was originally part of the parish of Oamaru. It was under the pastoral oversight of the Rev. Charles Connor from September 1863-June 1868. During that period the inhabitants of the district required to go to Oamaru on the Sabbath to attend Divine Service. They received Occasional visits from the minister who sometimes held a prayer meeting in Mr Hassell's Cave Valley. These were quiet and uneventful times.
Rev. Charles Connor preached at Cave Valley on 1 November 1863. He made occasional forays to the small settlements inland.
In the month of May 1869 the Rev. Alex B. Todd, formerly of Tokomairiro, was inducted to the pastoral charge of St Paul's Congregation, Oamaru. From time to time he paid pastoral visits to Waiareka and Occasionally held week-day prayer meetings in the Cave Valley house, in Weston School-house, and at Elderslie.
Teaneraki village and the mansions up the valley had then no existence and the road from Whitestone to Teaneraki and onwards was unmade. The population was very sparse and few could realise that the railway whistle would in a few years resound through the quiet secluded hills and valleys. During these years the population was making slow and steady progress.
In 1873 Mr Todd managed to have a monthly service at Weston School-house on the Sabbath afternoon. These services were generally very well attended and appreciated. As a temporary arrangment Elderslie was attached to the Lower Waitaki; and received supply from the preachers stationed, and afterwards from the Rev. John Steven, after his settlement. This arrangement continued in operation till 1875, when it was deemed advisable to invite the Upper and Lower Waitaki, so as to form one ministerial charge. With this view Messrs Todd and Steven were appointed by the Presbytery of Oamaru to visit the district from Weston to the Maerewhenua Diggings, and bring the matter before the inhabitants for their consideration. As the result of these visits a memorial was presented to the Presbytery with an application that the Upper and Lower Waiareka should be erected into a sanctioned charge. A Subscription list accompanied this promising upwards of £200 to the Sustentation Fund. The Presbytery unanimously recommended the Synod and grant the prayer of the Memorial, which was accordingly done in January 1876.
In the month of March thereafter Mr Todd and his Session were appointed by the Presbytery to take the spiritual superintendence of Waiareka until a preacher was called and settled. Various preachers and ministers were sent to hold divine service and give regular supply. At first three services were held at Elderslie and Weston before Teaneraki school-house was erected. Committees of management were elected to collect the Sustentation Fund and attend to finance in general.
As the want of a place of worship in Upper Waiareka was very much felt the subject was brought before the people for consideration and after divine service held at Elderslie on 3 August 1876, by Mr Todd, the congregation unanimously passed the following resolutions:
A student, Mr Stuart, supplied for a number of months. After hearing a number of ministers and preachers the two congregations of Upper and Lower Waiareka unanimously elected the Rev. James H. Cameron of Lawrence to be their Pastor. The necessary steps being taken he was accordingly inducted by the Presbytery to the pastoral charge of Waiareka on Wednesday the 17th October 1877 and thereupon received a cordial welcome. The church was being built and the parish had a minister with no manse. Mr Rainsforth let a house for £35 per annum for use of the minister. The Oamaru stone house opposite the Fort, Enfield, which was still standing in 1998, the last house in the Enfield township before the sports ground.
The Enfield Presbyterian Church was opened for public worship on 11 August 1878. The opening service was conducted by Rev. Dr. Stuart of Knox Church Dunedin.
The Soiree in connection with the opening of the New Church took place on the following Tuesday evening in the Teaneraki School. People arrived by trains from all parts of the district, Oamaru contributing about 80 to the crowd. St Paul's choir was in attendance. Many had to listen from outsides. The proceeds from the Soiree were spent on the church.
John Reid of Elderslie, a wealthy landowner, donated the prime hill site on which Enfield church, Manse and Glebe stands. His servants and farm workers filled the Church. Mr Reid, and Mr Edward Menlove of Windsor Park and his family took a keen interest in the establishing of the Church. Mrs Reid gave a beautiful Communion Service, Mr Menlove presented a very valuable harmonium, meaning the church had instrumental music from the beginning, and Mrs Menlove presented the pulpit bible, which was still used, and the Pulpit hymn book.
The Enfield church stands on a rise, and the Church and spire can be seen for miles around. The church bell which was rung prior to the service could also be heard clearly throughout the district. The Church is built of Oamaru Stone, with a gray slate roof and is a well-known landmark. It was maintained in good repair and the Historic Places Trust gave it a "C" rating.
Managers meet at manse adjoining the church 1879. Several bidders submitted tenders, and after due consideration, that of Mr John Sinclair of Oamaru was accepted, the amount being £744.
J. H. Cameron returns to Scotland; J. A. Will called to Waiareka 1883
A site for the church in Ngapara was secured in 1891. A few years later the work was commenced.
Early in March 1895 the Parish gave a call to Rev James Standring of Invercargill to be their Pastor in succession to Rev. James A. Will translated to Lawrence.
The call was accepted by Mr Standring. He with his family arrived at Enfield on 20 March and was inducted by the Presbytery of Oamaru. The service was held in Enfield Church which was crowded.
In the last decade of the Nineteenth Century, the Government bought up many of the large New Zealand estates, subdividing them for settlement. New houses rapidly replaced lonely shepherd's huts and mustering pens. As the population increased, so did the demand for services.
The foundation stone of Ngapara was laid 26 March 1896 by Mr Hebert Edwards, the eldest settler in the district. Owing to the weather the Presbytery representatives were unable to be present.
The new church at Ngapara was opened Sunday 19 July 1896. The opening service was conducted by Rev. J. A. Will. The total cost of the building was 573 pounds. When the Synod grant came in it would have only a small debit balance of 54 pounds. A bell was donated by Mrs Ogilvie. Ardgowan estate purchased and sub-divided 1896
Totara Estate purchased and sub-divided 1897; Ngapara end of Windsor Park 1899; Elderslie Estate 1900
Weston with Totara and Ardgowan disjoined from Waiareka 1901
Enfield end of Windsor Park purchased and sub-divided 1902
Church opened at Windsor; H. Clark called to Waiareka 1913
A. G. Irvine called to Waiareka 1916
The Enfield church was built with a large spire, it had no bell until 1917. When Rev. James Standring moved to Middlemarch where there was a bell with no tower, he persuaded his new parish to gift the bell to the Enfield Church.
A. G. Irvine takes leave of absence as Chaplain to Armed Forces 1917-1919
George Wallace called to Waiareka 1924
Electricity installed in manse 1927
Electricity was run into Ngapara 1928
Rev. and Mrs Wallace leave for Scotland; J. E. Adam called to Waiareka 1931
S. D. Baird called to Waiareka 1933 where three churches were in the valley at the time of the Jubilee. John Joiner was Secretary and Baird's stipend was £266 per annum. Envelopes were used. Considerable sums were sent overseas to Mission work.
Windsor got power 1934.
Mr H. Allan was instructed to put fine mesh netting round the openings of the bell tower 1935.
An appeal for funds to reduce the overdraft with the Bank of New Zealand and canvas for more members to go on envelope system in 1936. Rev. Baird was in hospital. Rev. John Cawley filled the Minister's place.
John Joiner had fulfilled the offices of Secretary since 1920 when he passed away in 1937. W. McIntyre had served as manager since 1922 passed away the same year. A group of young men were welcomed into the managership. A committee was formed to make arrangements to to celebrate Church Jubilee 12-13 march 1938.
£12/10/- paid for 2 coats of paint for interior of Church. The Jubilee was commemorated with the building of a Communion Table.
Rev. J. Fordyce was next in the Parish c. 1945. A flush toilet installed at the Manse. Rev. J. and Mrs D. Cawley shifted to Ngapara. Rev. Cawley had done supply and Mrs Cawley played the organ for some years. The Committee decided to move the stables from Church yard and make a double garage at the Manse. The willows were removed from the glebe.
Electric light installed at Church and Manse 1940, at the cost of £82/9/- for Manse.
During the 1939-1945 War many young men of the district served overseas. Petrol rationing and quarterly management meetings cancelled 1942. Home-guard activities carried out. Two young rabbit shooters from Oamaru walked into the church. The outside lights were broken and they stood the Pulpit Bible up on end and shot a .22 bullet at it, the lead of the bullet penetrating to the book of Deuteronomy c. 1942. The boys responsible for the damage were caught, appeared in court, and fined £3/10/-.
A new electric organ was presented to the Enfield Church c. 1945.
Outside of Church painted, £100 and Manse £78/5/-, 1947.
Cattlestop installed at Manse 1948. Rev. J. Fordyce left after receiving a call to Cust in Canterbury.From c. 1950-1955 Rev. A. Munroe ministered in the Parish. The quota for member for Oamaru Presbytery was 25/-.
Ten pounds paid for Waiareka share projector Oamaru Presbytery 1953. Committee appointed to organise 75th Jubilee of Enfield Church.Managers take turns to ring the bell, 1954. Three matching chairs for Communion Table purchased from Jubilee funds. Electric tube under-seat heaters installed for £160. The underfloor joists showed signs of rot. A 3000 gallon concrete tank was installed at Manse £95.
Mr A. S. Munroe accepted a call to Fairlie 1956. Rev. A. Sutherland was minister 1957-1962 when he retired, the last minister in the Waiareka parish. The Waiareka and Weston / Totara parishes amalgamated circa 1962 / 1963. Arthur Sutherland was still alive in 1993 and lived in Iona Hall in Oamaru. Mr James Cook left a legacy of £100 in 1957. This was put into a Government loan. The Enfield district population worked as a team and installed a water scheme from the Kakanui River to instill renewed spirit in the area in 1957. The Manse was connected to the Enfield Water Scheme and it proved very beneficial to have an ample supply of good water at all times.
A special meeting called to appoint a committee to inspect Wyebrows property for a Sunday School 1960.
Rev. J. C. Doig Interim Moderator 1963. Rev. J. Doig was minister at Weston, resident at the Weston Manse, and became minister of the parish encorporating Enfield until he left for Wellington in 1967. On 24 March and 29 June 1964 amalgamation meetings declared 27 in favour and 2 to the contrary.
A move was made to collect money around the district for the construction of a Sunday School Hall to be built beside Enfield Church, on a corner where stables had stood. A lot of residents along with Bible Class and Sunday School folk did a tremendous job cutting and selling firewood and sawdust and sheep manure sales.The Sunday School Hall was built by local builder G. Samuelson for £2808/12/3, 1964. The Bible Class folk raised money to pay for the piano. The Hall was opened 1 May 1965, when a plaque was dedicated to the late Mr Tom Common, superintendent of the Sunday School 1874-1919.
In 1966 the rest of the area was levelled and landscaped for car parking, etc., by local residents using trucks, tractors and trailers to move spoil for filling. 240 loads of spoil was shifted onto the section. 11 300 bags of various products gathered, transported and sold by members and children to raise funds. A new R. H. S. support with chain mesh netting enclosed the parking area on two sides.
Negotiations to sell or rent the old manse were underway. Parts of the interior of the Church were renovated. The pews were lifted and carpet was laid. The pulpit in the centre was removed and a new pulpit built, upgrading the pulpit area. The James Cook legacy was to be used to put in the new pulpit. The front porch was re-panelled.
Quote to paint interior of Church $624.00, 1967.
Rev. G. G. Roe chairs last meeting of the Enfield Managers 4 April 1971.
On 21 April 1974 the Enfield Sunday School held its Centennial celebration, and a good number of ex-pupils attended.
In the 1970s Rev. G. G. Roe ministered to the parish, followed by Rev. J. Milligan and Rev. J. Ballantyne. Rev. N. Daniela's ministry ended in 1992.
Enfield Church held its centennial in 1978. About this time the picket road fence was replace with R. H. S. steel supports carrying chain mesh setting.
Services were held fortnightly. There were no children from the Enfield district coming to Sunday School.
A concrete walkway was put down from the Sunday School Hall to the Church, along with a ramp at the front door.
Plaques removed from Ngapara Presbyterian Church when it closed were put into Enfield Church and re-dedicated to early settlers in that area, Mr Herbert Edwards and Mr J. B. Taylor.
There were about 180 homes occupied in the Enfield district in 1928. In 1993 30 odd of them had disappeared, taken away, burnt or fallen down. The population was in similar shape.
Rev. Charles Connor preached at Cave Valley on 1 November 1863. He made occasional forays to the small settlements inland.
In the month of May 1869 the Rev. Alex B. Todd, formerly of Tokomairiro, was inducted to the pastoral charge of St Paul's Congregation, Oamaru. From time to time he paid pastoral visits to Waiareka and Occasionally held week-day prayer meetings in the Cave Valley house, in Weston School-house, and at Elderslie.
Teaneraki village and the mansions up the valley had then no existence and the road from Whitestone to Teaneraki and onwards was unmade. The population was very sparse and few could realise that the railway whistle would in a few years resound through the quiet secluded hills and valleys. During these years the population was making slow and steady progress.
In 1873 Mr Todd managed to have a monthly service at Weston School-house on the Sabbath afternoon. These services were generally very well attended and appreciated. As a temporary arrangment Elderslie was attached to the Lower Waitaki; and received supply from the preachers stationed, and afterwards from the Rev. John Steven, after his settlement. This arrangement continued in operation till 1875, when it was deemed advisable to invite the Upper and Lower Waitaki, so as to form one ministerial charge. With this view Messrs Todd and Steven were appointed by the Presbytery of Oamaru to visit the district from Weston to the Maerewhenua Diggings, and bring the matter before the inhabitants for their consideration. As the result of these visits a memorial was presented to the Presbytery with an application that the Upper and Lower Waiareka should be erected into a sanctioned charge. A Subscription list accompanied this promising upwards of £200 to the Sustentation Fund. The Presbytery unanimously recommended the Synod and grant the prayer of the Memorial, which was accordingly done in January 1876.
In the month of March thereafter Mr Todd and his Session were appointed by the Presbytery to take the spiritual superintendence of Waiareka until a preacher was called and settled. Various preachers and ministers were sent to hold divine service and give regular supply. At first three services were held at Elderslie and Weston before Teaneraki school-house was erected. Committees of management were elected to collect the Sustentation Fund and attend to finance in general.
As the want of a place of worship in Upper Waiareka was very much felt the subject was brought before the people for consideration and after divine service held at Elderslie on 3 August 1876, by Mr Todd, the congregation unanimously passed the following resolutions:
- I. That the congregation proceed with the erection of a church as soon as possible.
II. That the present church committee act as a Building Committee and take the necessary steps for the erection of the building.
A student, Mr Stuart, supplied for a number of months. After hearing a number of ministers and preachers the two congregations of Upper and Lower Waiareka unanimously elected the Rev. James H. Cameron of Lawrence to be their Pastor. The necessary steps being taken he was accordingly inducted by the Presbytery to the pastoral charge of Waiareka on Wednesday the 17th October 1877 and thereupon received a cordial welcome. The church was being built and the parish had a minister with no manse. Mr Rainsforth let a house for £35 per annum for use of the minister. The Oamaru stone house opposite the Fort, Enfield, which was still standing in 1998, the last house in the Enfield township before the sports ground.
The Enfield Presbyterian Church was opened for public worship on 11 August 1878. The opening service was conducted by Rev. Dr. Stuart of Knox Church Dunedin.
The Soiree in connection with the opening of the New Church took place on the following Tuesday evening in the Teaneraki School. People arrived by trains from all parts of the district, Oamaru contributing about 80 to the crowd. St Paul's choir was in attendance. Many had to listen from outsides. The proceeds from the Soiree were spent on the church.
John Reid of Elderslie, a wealthy landowner, donated the prime hill site on which Enfield church, Manse and Glebe stands. His servants and farm workers filled the Church. Mr Reid, and Mr Edward Menlove of Windsor Park and his family took a keen interest in the establishing of the Church. Mrs Reid gave a beautiful Communion Service, Mr Menlove presented a very valuable harmonium, meaning the church had instrumental music from the beginning, and Mrs Menlove presented the pulpit bible, which was still used, and the Pulpit hymn book.
The Enfield church stands on a rise, and the Church and spire can be seen for miles around. The church bell which was rung prior to the service could also be heard clearly throughout the district. The Church is built of Oamaru Stone, with a gray slate roof and is a well-known landmark. It was maintained in good repair and the Historic Places Trust gave it a "C" rating.
Managers meet at manse adjoining the church 1879. Several bidders submitted tenders, and after due consideration, that of Mr John Sinclair of Oamaru was accepted, the amount being £744.
J. H. Cameron returns to Scotland; J. A. Will called to Waiareka 1883
A site for the church in Ngapara was secured in 1891. A few years later the work was commenced.
Early in March 1895 the Parish gave a call to Rev James Standring of Invercargill to be their Pastor in succession to Rev. James A. Will translated to Lawrence.
The call was accepted by Mr Standring. He with his family arrived at Enfield on 20 March and was inducted by the Presbytery of Oamaru. The service was held in Enfield Church which was crowded.
In the last decade of the Nineteenth Century, the Government bought up many of the large New Zealand estates, subdividing them for settlement. New houses rapidly replaced lonely shepherd's huts and mustering pens. As the population increased, so did the demand for services.
The foundation stone of Ngapara was laid 26 March 1896 by Mr Hebert Edwards, the eldest settler in the district. Owing to the weather the Presbytery representatives were unable to be present.
The new church at Ngapara was opened Sunday 19 July 1896. The opening service was conducted by Rev. J. A. Will. The total cost of the building was 573 pounds. When the Synod grant came in it would have only a small debit balance of 54 pounds. A bell was donated by Mrs Ogilvie. Ardgowan estate purchased and sub-divided 1896
Totara Estate purchased and sub-divided 1897; Ngapara end of Windsor Park 1899; Elderslie Estate 1900
Weston with Totara and Ardgowan disjoined from Waiareka 1901
Enfield end of Windsor Park purchased and sub-divided 1902
Church opened at Windsor; H. Clark called to Waiareka 1913
A. G. Irvine called to Waiareka 1916
The Enfield church was built with a large spire, it had no bell until 1917. When Rev. James Standring moved to Middlemarch where there was a bell with no tower, he persuaded his new parish to gift the bell to the Enfield Church.
A. G. Irvine takes leave of absence as Chaplain to Armed Forces 1917-1919
George Wallace called to Waiareka 1924
Electricity installed in manse 1927
Electricity was run into Ngapara 1928
Rev. and Mrs Wallace leave for Scotland; J. E. Adam called to Waiareka 1931
S. D. Baird called to Waiareka 1933 where three churches were in the valley at the time of the Jubilee. John Joiner was Secretary and Baird's stipend was £266 per annum. Envelopes were used. Considerable sums were sent overseas to Mission work.
Windsor got power 1934.
Mr H. Allan was instructed to put fine mesh netting round the openings of the bell tower 1935.
An appeal for funds to reduce the overdraft with the Bank of New Zealand and canvas for more members to go on envelope system in 1936. Rev. Baird was in hospital. Rev. John Cawley filled the Minister's place.
John Joiner had fulfilled the offices of Secretary since 1920 when he passed away in 1937. W. McIntyre had served as manager since 1922 passed away the same year. A group of young men were welcomed into the managership. A committee was formed to make arrangements to to celebrate Church Jubilee 12-13 march 1938.
£12/10/- paid for 2 coats of paint for interior of Church. The Jubilee was commemorated with the building of a Communion Table.
Rev. J. Fordyce was next in the Parish c. 1945. A flush toilet installed at the Manse. Rev. J. and Mrs D. Cawley shifted to Ngapara. Rev. Cawley had done supply and Mrs Cawley played the organ for some years. The Committee decided to move the stables from Church yard and make a double garage at the Manse. The willows were removed from the glebe.
Electric light installed at Church and Manse 1940, at the cost of £82/9/- for Manse.
During the 1939-1945 War many young men of the district served overseas. Petrol rationing and quarterly management meetings cancelled 1942. Home-guard activities carried out. Two young rabbit shooters from Oamaru walked into the church. The outside lights were broken and they stood the Pulpit Bible up on end and shot a .22 bullet at it, the lead of the bullet penetrating to the book of Deuteronomy c. 1942. The boys responsible for the damage were caught, appeared in court, and fined £3/10/-.
A new electric organ was presented to the Enfield Church c. 1945.
Outside of Church painted, £100 and Manse £78/5/-, 1947.
Cattlestop installed at Manse 1948. Rev. J. Fordyce left after receiving a call to Cust in Canterbury.From c. 1950-1955 Rev. A. Munroe ministered in the Parish. The quota for member for Oamaru Presbytery was 25/-.
Ten pounds paid for Waiareka share projector Oamaru Presbytery 1953. Committee appointed to organise 75th Jubilee of Enfield Church.Managers take turns to ring the bell, 1954. Three matching chairs for Communion Table purchased from Jubilee funds. Electric tube under-seat heaters installed for £160. The underfloor joists showed signs of rot. A 3000 gallon concrete tank was installed at Manse £95.
Mr A. S. Munroe accepted a call to Fairlie 1956. Rev. A. Sutherland was minister 1957-1962 when he retired, the last minister in the Waiareka parish. The Waiareka and Weston / Totara parishes amalgamated circa 1962 / 1963. Arthur Sutherland was still alive in 1993 and lived in Iona Hall in Oamaru. Mr James Cook left a legacy of £100 in 1957. This was put into a Government loan. The Enfield district population worked as a team and installed a water scheme from the Kakanui River to instill renewed spirit in the area in 1957. The Manse was connected to the Enfield Water Scheme and it proved very beneficial to have an ample supply of good water at all times.
A special meeting called to appoint a committee to inspect Wyebrows property for a Sunday School 1960.
Rev. J. C. Doig Interim Moderator 1963. Rev. J. Doig was minister at Weston, resident at the Weston Manse, and became minister of the parish encorporating Enfield until he left for Wellington in 1967. On 24 March and 29 June 1964 amalgamation meetings declared 27 in favour and 2 to the contrary.
A move was made to collect money around the district for the construction of a Sunday School Hall to be built beside Enfield Church, on a corner where stables had stood. A lot of residents along with Bible Class and Sunday School folk did a tremendous job cutting and selling firewood and sawdust and sheep manure sales.The Sunday School Hall was built by local builder G. Samuelson for £2808/12/3, 1964. The Bible Class folk raised money to pay for the piano. The Hall was opened 1 May 1965, when a plaque was dedicated to the late Mr Tom Common, superintendent of the Sunday School 1874-1919.
In 1966 the rest of the area was levelled and landscaped for car parking, etc., by local residents using trucks, tractors and trailers to move spoil for filling. 240 loads of spoil was shifted onto the section. 11 300 bags of various products gathered, transported and sold by members and children to raise funds. A new R. H. S. support with chain mesh netting enclosed the parking area on two sides.
Negotiations to sell or rent the old manse were underway. Parts of the interior of the Church were renovated. The pews were lifted and carpet was laid. The pulpit in the centre was removed and a new pulpit built, upgrading the pulpit area. The James Cook legacy was to be used to put in the new pulpit. The front porch was re-panelled.
Quote to paint interior of Church $624.00, 1967.
Rev. G. G. Roe chairs last meeting of the Enfield Managers 4 April 1971.
On 21 April 1974 the Enfield Sunday School held its Centennial celebration, and a good number of ex-pupils attended.
In the 1970s Rev. G. G. Roe ministered to the parish, followed by Rev. J. Milligan and Rev. J. Ballantyne. Rev. N. Daniela's ministry ended in 1992.
Enfield Church held its centennial in 1978. About this time the picket road fence was replace with R. H. S. steel supports carrying chain mesh setting.
Services were held fortnightly. There were no children from the Enfield district coming to Sunday School.
A concrete walkway was put down from the Sunday School Hall to the Church, along with a ramp at the front door.
Plaques removed from Ngapara Presbyterian Church when it closed were put into Enfield Church and re-dedicated to early settlers in that area, Mr Herbert Edwards and Mr J. B. Taylor.
There were about 180 homes occupied in the Enfield district in 1928. In 1993 30 odd of them had disappeared, taken away, burnt or fallen down. The population was in similar shape.
Relates to
Recollect CollectionNorth Otago Presbytery
Waiareka Parish. Presbyterian Research Centre, accessed 05/05/2026, https://pcanzarchives.recollect.co.nz/nodes/view/112662
