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The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Otago & Southland Provincial Districts]
The Presbyterian Church At Port Chalmers
The Presbyterian Church At Port Chalmers dates from the days of the early settlement of Otago, in 1848, when the Rev. Thomas Burns conducted services as opportunity offered and held them in a room in the old Port Chalmers Hotel, which stood on the site of the present hotel of that name. As the population in those days was small, the services were attended by persons of all denominations. In 1851 some of the residents in Port Chalmers took steps to have a church built. Appeals were made in the surrounding districts and in Dunedin, and the First Church congregation generously contributed nearly £100. A contract for the building was let in 1852; Mr. Daniel Macandrew was the contractor, and the church was opened on the 17th of October, 1852, by the Rev. Thomas Burns. Most of the elders and deacons of First Church attended the opening services, and the collections taken at the door in aid of the building fund amounted to £18. The building was of wood; it had a shingled roof, a small square wooden tower above the entrance, and there was seating accommodation for 150 persons. At first the inside of the church was plain and unpretentious; the walls were innocent of lining, and the seats consisted of scantlings, and boards resting on bundles of shingles; a large packing case, covered with black merino, did duty for a pulpit. Although the church was built as a Presbyterian house of worship, it was freely given to ministers and laymen of other denominations, and the late Mr. Charles Logie, Collector of Customs, who arrived at the end of 1853, used to read the Church of England service and a sermon, when no minister of his church was able to visit Port Chalmers. At first services were conducted by Mr. Burns once in six weeks, and at other times, during his absence, by Mr. Colin Allen. At a meeting held in March, 1858, it was urged that the Port should be disjoined from Dunedin and formed into a separate charge, owing to the increase in the population of the town and district. The Presbytery cordially agreed to sanction the constitution of the district under the designation of the Church of Port Chalmers and The North. The Rev. William Johnstone was inducted as first minister of the new church in June, 1868; and of the first roll of membership Captain Thomson is now (1904) the only survivor. At first there was no manse at the Port, but in July, 1858, the managers bought the present glebe, and contracts were let for the improvement of the dwelling to be used as the minister's house. Unfortunately, shortly after the improvements were completed the house was destroyed by a bush fire. About 1871 the Church Court, feeling that sufficient support had been given by the congregation, promised to undertake the building of a new church in stone, with accommodation for 300 persons. The work was carried out at a cost of £1300, Mr. N. Y. A. Wales being the architect; and the new church was opened for worship in January, 1872. In 1876 a further addition in the shape of a gallery was built, in order to provide necessary accommodation. About that time the minister's health began to fail, and after a severe illness he passed to his rest in August, 1881. He was succeeded by the Rev. John Ryley in the same year. Again the matter of increasing seat accommodation engaged the attention of the office bearers, with the result that the foundations of the present church were laid, and the new building was opened for service by Dr. Salmond in November, 1883. The church is a handsome building, in blue stone with white facing, and capable of accommodating 750 persons. It cost about £7000. Mr. Ryley resigned in 1892, and was succeeded by the Rev. Henry Adamson, who also resigned three years later. The pastorate remained vacant until 1896, when the call was accepted by the Rev. E. C. Tennent, of Stawell. Victoria.