New Zealand Historic Places Trust information release
8 July 2004
The elegant and historic walls of Old St Paul's will echo to the strains
of jazz, blues and western swing on Friday 13 August as the venue debuts
its "Hot Club Friday" session. For a $10.00 door charge, patrons
will be able to enjoy local acoustic trio "Hot Club Sandwich"
from 5.30, and purchase wine, beer and a light meal. Some café-style
seating will be arranged near the chancel (front of the church) and there
are obviously plenty of pews for the more hardy.
Wellington trio "Hot Club Sandwich" comprises singer/guitarist
Andrew London, Bass player Terry Crayford , and violinist Colleen Trenwith.
Trenwith has recently moved to Kapiti from Hamilton, and was a founder
member of the legendary Hamilton County Bluegrass Band, who toured Australia
and the USA. They are still the only NZ band to have played Nashville's
Grand Ole Opry, considered by many to be the ultimate achievement in country
music.
Old St Paul's was built in 1865, and was the parish church of Thorndon
for 98 years, until its ecclesiastical function was transferred to the
new St Paul's Cathedral in Molesworth St in 1964. It is still a consecrated
building and is living testimony to one of New Zealand's greatest heritage
battles. Destined for demolition in 1954, the church was saved by a small
protest group who spent 12 years gathering sufficient public support to
persuade the government to buy the building in 1967, when it was vested
in the New Zealand Historic Places Trust.
The staff at Old St Paul's hope The Hot Club Friday initiative, beginning
Friday 13th August, will encourage more people into the venue, and raise
local awareness of the Church's heritage and historic significance.
