Parish Life

We are a small friendly church community who meet weekly for a worship service, it is a privilege to share our worship with visitors most Sundays from around New Zealand and the world. We gather together throughout the year for various activities as a faith community and all our members are also involved in various groups and organisations in the Hanmer Springs community.

After School Klub – ASK

Our After School Klub is

• a Christian-based after school programme held each Monday during Terms Two and Three
• held at the Anglican Church hall from 3pm – 4.30pm
• for children in Year 1 – 6 (with Year 7 & 8 children welcome as leaders)
• run by adults from the local churches with support from the wider church leaders

We

• collect the children from Hanmer School to walk to the hall
• provide a nutritious afternoon tea
• ask for a gold coin donation each week, or $10 for the term
• run a programme full of stories, songs, craft and games to introduce children to God’s love and to engage them with the word of God.
• Our next Funday Sunday (ASK for the whole family) Sunday July 30th, 4.30-6pm, Church Hall

Enquiries to Sarah Gardiner 315 7925 / 021 0831 5549.

Men’s Breakfast

Join local men from the Hanmer community for breakfast. A great opportunity for fellowship and friendship. Enquiries to Mike 022 340 0172

Study Group

Our study group starts the year with a study programme specifically for the journey through the season of Lent (6 weeks before Easter) and later in the year do either topical or from a specific book of the Bible. This group provides an opportunity to grow in our faith and in our relationships with each other.

Church Fete

On Show Weekend (second weekend in November) the church community in cooperation with the community hold our Annual Fete. This is an opportunity to fundraise for the parish and to support community groups.  Every year a community group is financially supported from funds generated at the fete. Some of the groups that have benefited are Scouts, Home and School, Meals on Wheels, Drop-In Centre, Playcentre, Bowls Club.

This event has become a calendar event in the local community with many locals and visitors enjoying the chocolate wheel, bookstall, bric’n’brac, plate smash, plants, children’s stall, baking and BBQ.

2022 Fete – Grateful thanks to all who contributed by way of donation or time helping on the day. We had a wonderful time, gorgeous day and a great community occasion. See you next year!!

History of the Church Building

In 1869, James Jones of St James Station, wrote to Bishop Suter of Nelson, urging that a minister be appointed to the district, and that Bishop Suter visit. In those days, visiting ministers held services in homes or at Jollies Pass Accommodation House. When the Presbyterian Church was built in Hanmer, Anglican services were held there.  When the Cheviot and Amuri Parish, (including Hanmer Plains), was formed in 1896 and an Anglican vicar the Rev E Webb was appointed.  In 1904 the Amuri district became a separate parish under the care of the Rev. Powell who was vicar for six years. These vicars had to travel long distances on poor roads, in open carriages, or on horseback, in all kinds of weather. It wasn’t until 1946 that Hanmer Springs became a separate parish.

The church building was built in 1901 by Mr T W Berry of Blenheim, The Church of the Epiphany was and remains “a structure at once strong, ecclesiastical in design, and excellently finished”.

The Church opened on October 25^th, 1901, and first consecrated by the Bishop of Nelson, the Rt Rev Mules, on January 17^th, 1902.

When building of the Church was completed, locals helped to provide furnishings for the church interior, most given in memory of former parishioners, all complimenting the simplicity and beauty of the interior of the Church of the Epiphany.

Our church remains the same white, red roofed building it was when it was new. It is a Category II’ listed building with Historic New Zealand.

To the left of the church gates are three beautiful scarlet oaks, planted by the Galilee family, in thanks for the safe return home of their three sons from World War II.

Two new stain glass windows were added to the church, following a bequest by Miss E M (Tiny) Parsons, that were dedicated to her memory and that of her sister Miss K F (Maidie) Parsons in May 1995.  The stain glass windows depicting God’s work in Hanmer Springs, the light, the mountains the forest and the strength of the land, were designed by local artist, Roger Simpson and made by Graham Stewart of Rangiora.

Church House (Hall)

In 1927 a meeting of church members gathered “to discuss the erection of a building for use as a Sunday School and to accommodate the Vicar on his visits,” resulting ultimately in the building of Church House which was completed in 1931.  In 1936 the building was extended at the north end, and in 2001, additional facilities were added including wheelchair access.

Church House has seen many uses, as a Sunday School, for social functions, Brownies, Play Centre, Music Appreciation for children, the Bridge Club and AA meetings. During the Depression, Church House became a social centre for unemployed men and during World War II, a meeting place for the soldier patients at the hospital. It has accommodated many visiting clergy and church groups, is a venue for fairs, sales tables and has even been used as a classroom.

Ministers who have served the Parish

Rev. E. C. Powell	1904 – 1910
Rev. J. C. Rae	1910 – 1914
Rev. T. J. Smith	1914 – 1925
Rev. J. W. P. C. Dwyer	1925 – 1926
Rev. G. F. Neligan	1926 – 1928
Rev. E. Blackwood Moore	1928 – 1935
Rev. F. J. Daynes	1935 – 1938
Rev. C. E. Tanner	1938 – 1944
Rev. L. E. Mackney	1945 – 1946
Rev. E. Mannering	1950 – 1952
Rev. R. M. Bennett	1956 – 1963
Rev. L. M. Swindlehurst	1964 – 1970
Rev. J. M. Craighead	1970 – 1981
Rev. A. Stockdale	1981 – 1989
Rev. Michael Kerr	1990 – 1995
Rev. Andy Joseph	1996 – 2003
Rev. Ann Boss	2005 – 2010
Rev. Wally Behan	2011 – 2015
Rev. Natasha Glenderran	2015 – 2022