Building [Chapel of the Good Shepherd]
Maker and role
J Penman, Builder
John Herbert, Builder
Production date
1898
See full details
Object detail
Accession number
1974.145
Maker
Production period
Description
The Chapel was formerly St Saviour's Church in Blockhouse Bay. It was completed in 1898 with money raised by the local community. This building features a steeply pitched corrugated iron roof with strong rafters placed in a triangular formation to support it. On top is the bell tower that is supported by a Celtic cross at each end. It is thought that the building once had a shingle roof. All the woodwork is heart kauri. The doors and windows have pointed arches following the 'Gothic Revival' style of the Victorian period. The windows above the altar are stained glass imported from England and feature a Celtic Cross.
Builder's signature is on a cut off section of wood, salvaged from when renovations/repairs were done.
Builder's signature is on a cut off section of wood, salvaged from when renovations/repairs were done.
Brief History
This chapel was first known as the Chapel of the Good Shepherd, and then, since 1900, as St Saviour’s Church. The chapel was originally located on road reserve at 2-4 Heaphy Street, Blockhouse Bay and was completed in 1898. Funds for the building were raised by the local community and it was originally intended to be non-denominational, but in 1900 was deemed an Anglican church by then Bishop of Auckland, William Cowie.
It is a typical small chapel of the late Victorian era, built in what is known as Colonial Gothic Revival style. The church was built by J. A. Penman, builder, of Mount Albert assisted by John Herbert. The building was bought by MOTAT in 1973 for $200 and moved to the Great North Road site. It opened to the public there in 1974 and is, once again, non-denominational.
The chapel contains furniture and fittings from several other churches. The pews came from the old St Mary’s pro-Cathedral in Parnell and still carry numbers and nameplates from the days when people would pay to rent a pew.
It is a typical small chapel of the late Victorian era, built in what is known as Colonial Gothic Revival style. The church was built by J. A. Penman, builder, of Mount Albert assisted by John Herbert. The building was bought by MOTAT in 1973 for $200 and moved to the Great North Road site. It opened to the public there in 1974 and is, once again, non-denominational.
The chapel contains furniture and fittings from several other churches. The pews came from the old St Mary’s pro-Cathedral in Parnell and still carry numbers and nameplates from the days when people would pay to rent a pew.
Marks
Builder's signature / from / Victorian Village Church / Taken down when church porch / altered never got put back because / Vestry not rebuilt. Hand-written
To the glory of God / and in loving memory of / George Thomas & Kenneth Godsall Engraved
To the glory of God / and in loving memory of / George Thomas & Kenneth Godsall Engraved
Media/Materials
Other name
Chapel of the Good Shepherd
St Saviour's Church
St Saviour's Church
Collection
Credit Line
J Penman et al. 1898. Building [Chapel of the Good Shepherd], 1974.145. The Museum of Transport and Technology (MOTAT).
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