St Michael & All Angels

This beautiful Anglican Church on Oxford Terrace stands on the site of the first church built in Christchurch in 1851. Opened in 1872, the the Church operated as the city's pro-cathedral until Christ Church Cathedral opened in 1881.

Built mostly from matai, it is one of the largest timber churches in its style in the southern hemisphere. The belfry, seen to the right of the photo, is the only remaining part of the original church. The bell it houses was brought out to the new colony in 1850 on one of the first four ships to settle Christchurch and was rung on the hour to indicate the time to the new settlers.

After the 2010/11 Earthquakes, the church was the only unscathed Anglican church still operation. Interestingly, the church was designed with earthquakes in mind; part of the reason it was decided to be constructed in wood as opposed to more permanent materials was due to the damage wrought on the then oldest Anglican church - constructed using stone - in the 1869 earthquake.

How quickly we forget our past...