Much of the growth of the Parish of Devonport can be seen in the various building projects which have been undertaken to cope with increased attendance at church and the church’s involvement in local community life.
In the late 1840’s there were only four European families in Devonport, known then as Flagstaff – the Alisons, Burgess, Duders and Olivers. These families established the Anglican Church in Devonport and were prominent in local community affairs. In 1842 Bishop Augustus Selwyn arrived in New Zealand and concerned himself with the spiritual well-being of the small groups of settlers, as well as Māori. Mr. Alex Alison built a new home on the waterfront (King Edward Parade) and Bishop Selwyn and Bishop Patteson were rowed across the harbour to conduct Divine Service on Sunday mornings in Mr. A. Alison’s home.
The First Church and schoolroom
In late 1855 Captain Burgess offered a site for a church and a school room for 16 local children, to be built. This is the site of the present Parish Hall, at the junction of Church Street and Vauxhall Road.
On 18th May 1856 Rev’d Edward Heywood was engaged to be Schoolmaster and minister, using the same building for both the school and the church. Today, we regard this date as the official birthday of the Anglican Church in Devonport. In 1860 a residence for the schoolmaster was built. The school was the forerunner of the present Devonport public school, which was established in 1869.
The Second Church
As the population of Flagstaff (Devonport) grew in the early 1860’s a larger Church was needed to accommodate the growing congregation. Consequently, in 1865 a second Church was built on the site of the present Holy Trinity Church. It had seating for 180 people. In 1874 it was enlarged by extending the nave and aisles by nine feet.
Sunday School Hall
In 1872 a dedicated Sunday School Hall was built adjacent to the church, where the path to the existing Vicarage was to be built. In 1886, upon the completion of the third (and present) church building, both this Sunday School Hall and part of the old church were moved to the rear of the property and joined to become an enlarged Hall. Following the completion of the new brick Parish Hall in 1911, the original Sunday School hall was relocated in 1912 to Bayswater Avenue (O’Neills Point) where it was dedicated to St.Michael and All Angels.
The Third Church
In 1879 the annual report stated that: “Increased accommodation is urgently needed in the Church …”. A number of meetings were held and Mr.E. Bartley (a prominent Auckland architect and parishioner) was asked to draw plans for a complete new church. The building of the Chancel and Transepts commenced in 1881 as the first stage at the eastern end of the 1865 building, which now served as a temporary nave. By 1885 tenders were called for the completion of the new church by the building of the new nave and aisles, thus in 1886 the present church was completed. Further alterations to the West end were undertaken in 1964 giving a new stained glass west window, central double doors and a covered porch.
The Vicarage
In 1887 a new and imposing two story Vicarage was built ("a Victorian mansion” described by a previous Vicar’s wife) near the Vauxhall Road frontage and to the left of the Church. However, over the years its condition deteriorated, and it was eventually demolished following the building of the present Vicarage in 1967.
The Parish Hall
The parish continued to grow and in 1911 the original Parish Hall was constructed with 180,000 bricks supplied from the local Duder brick works. This new hall served the community well, being the largest of its kind in the district. Over the years, the needs of the parish changed. The hall had very limited space for multiple, smaller gatherings, and inadequate kitchen and toilet facilities. In February 1990 the Parish Hall extension, including a meeting lounge, were dedicated by Bishop Edward Buckle.
Hall redevelopment
By 2017 the main fabric of the Hall was showing bad signs of wear. At a special General Meeting of parishioners in December of 2017 it was agreed to approve the project for the major redevelopment of the Parish Hall which was to include Office space, enlarged parish lounge, and other extensive works, including required earthquake strengthening. In September 2023 (following significant building disruption by the Covid pandemic) Bishop Ross Bay dedicated the newly completed Parish Hall. The completed project has since won architectural and building awards for heritage and conservation excellence. It continues to serve the parish admirably and is well used by parish and community groups.
Over the years parishioners have been not only concerned for the spiritual dimension of their lives but in the social connections with other parishioners and the community at large. This is shown particularly in the many social and community functions which took place in both the parish hall, and in more recent years in special community events in the church itself, such as special Community occasions and regular orchestral concerts. Over the years the Parish Hall has been in regular use for concerts by the Young Wives groups, Holy Trinity Bowling Club use, Badminton, community dances and Balls, Socials, and in more recent years by Ecole de Dance ballet classes, 60’s Up meetings, and special activities for children in Mainly Music and the outreach programme of “Messy Church”.
Through the years the parish halls have been in regular use as a venue for after-funeral gatherings, youth group activities, wedding receptions, and other special celebratory occasions for both parish and community events.
Since 1856, twenty-two Vicar’s have faithfully served the spiritual needs of the community and parishioners in proclaiming the Good News of Jesus Christ, and Holy Trinity Parish continues to thrive and stands as a living witness to the love and grace of God.
