OLD CHRISTCHURCH—IV ST MARY’S CHURCH ADDINGTON

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32032, 5 July 1969, Page 23

OLD CHRISTCHURCH—IV ST MARY’S CHURCH ADDINGTON

(Specially written for "The

Press" by

J. A. HENDRY. F.N.Z.I.A.)

St Mary’s, Addington, is the only parish church in Christchurch set in the centre of its own square, and surrounded by clipped holly hedges, smooth lawns, shrubberies and large old oak trees, beautiful in summer or winter.

After passing through the attractive shingle-roofed lych gate—a memorial “to the Boys of Addington, who fought in the Great War, 19141918”—one comes upon this quaint little building and its imposing bell tower. But why was the church built more or less in the south-east corner of the grounds? This is a direct lead into its history.

Henry Sewell, who owned most of what is now Addington, laid out the township, planned Church Square, and in 1863 gave the land in the centre for a church, and other land to the north-east on the outer perimeter for vicarage and glebe. The following year the district was included in the parish of St Michael and All Angels and the Rev. Mr Lingard was licensed as assistant curate in Addington in December of that year. Not until 1867 was a church built and then only a temporary one, to be used later as a schoolroom. As such it was not consecrated. This, then, is the reason for its present position on the site, for it is still the same church, but much added to over the years. Only in 1875 did Addington become a separate parish with the Rev. W. East as vicar. Versatile Architect Probably designed by Mountfort, it shows his versatility in a marked way, for the three steeply-pitched roofs grouped in this manner and topped by an ingenious fleche over the chancel are quite different from his other previously mentioned churches. Probably the higher centre block was the first building, the lower wings, porches and vestries coming later. How the timber sheathing was laid is now masked by the present stucco finish, but the happy proper-

tions, bell-cast eaves, hooded windows and colour scheme of white, charcoal and deep green facings are very satisfying.

The bell tower, of much later date, is in fact a memorial erected by the parishoners to the “ . . . Memory of Richard John Seddon P.P. L.L.D. 13 years Prime Minister of this Colony,” subsequent to his death in 1906. Happily placed on the axial line of the lych gate, it is a fine piece of timber design, with setbacks at three levels and finishing in a handsome pyramidal roof and cast iron finial. The bell chamber is stressed by the timber quatrefoil motifs, two to each face. Beautiful Interior All this however is cast in the shade by the interior of St Mary's, which must rank as one of the most beautiful church interiors in Christchurch. The keynote is spaciousness with concentration upon a very effective chancel and sanctuary. An elegant trussed roof, giving the effect of a vaulted space, covers the centre portion, which gives in turn to an attractive chancel with a rood screen and beyond that an apsidal sancturary, lit by jewel-like stained glass windows.

Flanking the centre space and separated from it by enormously heavy columns and beams are two identical bays with aisles and pews against the outer walls, with simple tongue and groove dadoes up to the window sills and plaster above.

The upper reaches to their roofs are lost in gloom, but the effect is dramatic, and heightened by brilliant colour in the small trefoil windows in the gable ends. Interest too is given by a memorial to the fallen in the Boer War, flanked by two faded “colours” to the north bay and to the south by the organ and a modern vestry sympathetically detailed and designed to suit the atmosphere. The sanctuary is arresting, cunningly lit, so that the Communion table, carved and moulded, yet surprisingly modern, is the central motif with other beautifully designed church furniture and communion rails complementing it.

Colour too is used well, glowing through stained glass,

brought up in carpets and drapes and accented by the gleam of polished brass in the sanctuary and from memorial wall plaques. A rich note occurs at the apparently simple but excellent designed communion rails, where kneelers are embroidered in rich colours.

St Mary’s has been well served by those who have lavished love and care on it, for its atmosphere of quiet reverence makes it more than “justanother church.”