Community of the Sacred Name (Former)

319 St Asaph Street, CHRISTCHURCH

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The Community of the Sacred Name (Former) complex, at 319 St Asaph Street in central Christchurch, has cultural and historical significance as the home of the only Anglican female order in New Zealand dating from shortly after its inception in 1893 until it was vacated following the Canterbury earthquakes of 2010-11, and has high social significance for its long and ongoing direct association with care work in the community. Built in stages between 1894-5 and 1921, the complex has architectural and aesthetic significance as a connected group of buildings designed by two prominent Christchurch architects, Benjamin and Cyril Mountfort. It is notable for the craftsmanship of the chapel construction and particularly for the stained glass windows by noted British stained glass artist, Veronica Whall and carvings by Frederick Gurnsey and his assistant Jake Vivian. The windows also have commemorative value. The place is still consecrated and has spiritual significance. What became known as the Community of the Sacred Name was founded in 1893 by Sister Edith Mellish who came to New Zealand from St Andrew’s Deaconess Community in London at the request of the Bishop of Canterbury, Churchill Julius. Known originally as the Christchurch Deaconesses’ Institution, the teaching and nursing order was at first housed in two cottages in George Street, Christchurch, but on the completion of a ‘temporary’ corrugated iron building designed by Benjamin Woolfield Mountfort, the sisters moved onto the site on the corner of Barbadoes and St Asaph Streets in early 1895. This building still forms part of the complex and has been substantially added to in phases, in 1898, 1900, 1905, 1916 and 1921, as the Community of the Sacred Name grew. Utilitarian in nature and with a somewhat haphazard layout due to the extensions carried out, the extent of the Community of the Sacred Name (Former) complex includes a relocated tuberculosis hut and remnants of a garden with fruit trees at the west side and an artesian well on the south side. Located on the north side of St Asaph Street, the original single storeyed T-shaped ‘temporary’ building is of timber and corrugated iron construction, with the iron being used as an external wall cladding as well as a roofing material. An extension to the south-east is also clad in corrugated iron. A large weatherboard clad two-storeyed extension with timber joinery gives the building a north-south orientation. At its north end is a timber chapel featuring Gothic Revival detailing and stained glass windows, with further chapel extensions incorporating bungalow style details. The community initially cared for unmarried mothers and orphans and it has played an important role in the history of Canterbury women and of non-governmental welfare assistance. Sybilla Maude came to live in the community in 1896 and it was from the kitchen room (later the Mission Room) that she established her dispensary and initially ran the district nursing scheme that became associated with her. The order was given its present name in 1912, after being known for a short time as the Sisters of Bethany. In addition to the five extensions constructed around the core original corrugated iron building, a large free-standing brick convent building had been constructed in 1911-12 on the corner of Barbadoes Street and St Asaph Street. This brick convent building was demolished following the Canterbury earthquakes of 2010-11 and the land was subdivided. The sisters had vacated the complex due to the quakes and relocated to Ashburton, retaining a 1992 retreat building, on a separate land parcel, that fronts Tuam Street. In 2014 new owners, Home and Family Society, took over the property and, as a result of a high level of community support and financial contributions, in 2017-18 the surviving historic corrugated iron and timber buildings in the complex were strengthened, repaired and adapted for their use as offices and a commercial café. Named ‘Our House’, the complex was reopened in July 2018 and, as a family-focused social service charitable society, Home and Family will continue the social journey of this important place.

Community of the Sacred Name (Former), Christchurch. Chapel interior looking east at the altar - carved by F.G. Gurnsey and the oak reredos (the ornamental screen covering the wall at the back of an altar) - carved by J. C. Vivian | Robyn Burgess | 02/07/2018 | Heritage New Zealand
Community of the Sacred Name (Former), Christchurch. Chapel interior showing timber pews, including high-backed Sisters' pews | Robyn Burgess | 02/07/2018 | Heritage New Zealand
Community of the Sacred Name (Former), Christchurch. Stained Glass of St Bridget | Stephen Estall | Stephen Estall
Community of the Sacred Name (Former), Christchurch. North side showing two-storeyed wing and chapel entrance | Robyn Burgess | 02/07/2018 | Heritage New Zealand

Location

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List Entry Information

Overview

Detailed List Entry

Status

Listed

List Entry Status

Historic Place Category 1

Access

Private/No Public Access

List Number

4387

Date Entered

2nd February 1990

Date of Effect

3rd March 2019

City/District Council

Christchurch City

Region

Canterbury Region

Extent of List Entry

Extent includes the land described as Lot 1 DP 484070 (RT 686121), Canterbury Land District and the buildings and structures known as Community of the Sacred Name (Former) thereon, and the following chattels: Reredos; Altar; Pews; Bishops’ Chair; Altar Rails including rail angels; Aumbry cupboard; Prayer Tables; three large decorative timber framed religious works; Dispensary cupboard; Flower stand; Chamber pot; Ceramic hot water bottle; Clock. [In addition to the itemised chattels, there are many fixtures within the building that are also part of the extent, including historic light fittings and radiators, ventilators, historic notice boards and donation box, fire places, and door and window hardware. The extent also includes the relocated tuberculosis hut at the north-west side of the property but does not include buildings on separate surrounding land parcels such as the Retreat Centre and another relocated tuberculosis hut]. (Refer to map in Appendix 1 of the List entry report for further information).

Legal description

Lot 1 DP 484070 (RT 686121), Canterbury Land District

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