All Saints’ Anglican Church on Church Street, opposite the historic Grand Hotel, is one of Palmerston North’s most-significant heritage churches. The English Gothic brick church seating 950 was designed by eminent New Zealand ecclesiastical architect Frederick de Jersey Clere, opened on 6 May 1914 by Bishop Sprott, and is a Heritage New Zealand Category 1 Historic Place.
The 1914 heritage church building has been closed since 1 April 2013 due to earthquake-resistance concerns, with parishioners voting in October 2015 to strengthen the structure. Active parish life continues at 338 Church Street, where the parish office and All Saints Community Centre host Sunday services at 10am, 5pm and 7pm, plus ongoing programmes including Alpha courses, youth, small groups and families ministry.
Practical Information
| Heritage church location | Church Street, Palmerston North (opposite the Grand Hotel, just off The Square) |
| Heritage church status | CLOSED since 1 April 2013; seismic strengthening planned (estimated NZ$4m cost in 2014) |
| Parish office / services | 338 Church Street, Palmerston North 4410. Sunday services 10am, 5pm and 7pm. Contact: 06 358 2203, in**@*********nz.com |
| Opened | 6 May 1914 (opening ceremony by Bishop Sprott of Wellington); consecrated 29 October 1916 |
| Architect | Frederick de Jersey Clere (designed over 100 churches for the Anglican Diocese of Wellington) |
| Builder | John Henry Meyer (construction commenced mid-February 1913); supervision by Herbert Clere, the architect’s son |
| Style and capacity | English Gothic in brick (English bond pattern); seating for 950 people |
| Heritage status | Heritage New Zealand Category 1, registration 191, registered 16 November 1989 |
About All Saints’ Church
All Saints’ Anglican Church is the third church to occupy this Church Street site. Bishop Octavius Hadfield purchased the section in 1875, and the foundation stone for the first church was laid on 29 September 1875 by Louisa Snelson, wife of Palmerston North’s founding father George Snelson. A second, larger church followed in 1881-82, with the original timber building becoming the transept.
The current building was commissioned in 1905, when Archdeacon Charles Coleridge Harper asked Frederick de Jersey Clere to prepare plans. Clere’s first design was rejected and the timber predecessor was moved to the rear of the site in 1910 to make room for a new structure. In 1913 Clere was commissioned again. Construction by builder John Henry Meyer commenced in mid-February 1913, supervised on site by Herbert Clere, the architect’s son, from his Palmerston North office.
Clere designed the church in English Gothic style, emphasising brick as the construction material using the English bond pattern. The church seats 950 people. The foundation stone was laid by Bishop Sprott on 7 November 1913 in very bad weather. The opening ceremony was held on Wednesday 6 May 1914 by Bishop Sprott of Wellington. The diocese rule that churches will only be consecrated once they have become free of debt meant consecration waited until Sunday 29 October 1916, by which time the remaining NZ£1,500 of the NZ£7,800 total cost had been raised.
Notable interior features include the first stained glass window (in the east wall of the side chapel, commemorating James Skerman and his wife), the Great East Window installed in 1924 as a memorial to soldiers who died in World War I, the Scout and Guide Corner memorial lamp to victims of the 1953 Tangiwai disaster, the altar and reredos carved by Frank Guernsey (altar 1939 in Oamaru stone, reredos 1944 in kauri), and the organ installed in 1929.
Closure, Damage and Strengthening
Following the 2011 Christchurch earthquake, territorial authorities throughout New Zealand commissioned structural assessments of public buildings. Palmerston North City Council found that All Saints’ Church achieved just 3% of the strength required by the New Zealand building code. The parish administration announced in November 2012 that the church would close on 1 April 2013 after that year’s Easter service.
The July 2013 Seddon earthquake cracked the brickwork. The 2014 Eketahuna earthquake caused further damage: more mortar and bricks cracked, and a stone figure fell off the altar and broke. In April 2014, earthquake strengthening was estimated to cost circa NZ$4 million. The parish formally resolved in October 2015 to strengthen the church and has been progressing this since.
For visitors and prospective worshippers: the heritage building remains closed. The exterior can be viewed from Church Street, but interior access is not currently possible. Services and parish life continue at the All Saints Community Centre at 338 Church Street, with Sunday services at 10am, 5pm and 7pm.
What Visitors Often Say
Visitors describe All Saints’ as one of the most-architecturally striking heritage churches in the Manawatu. Clere’s English Gothic brickwork, the Church Street setting opposite the Grand Hotel (also a Heritage Category 1 building), and the building’s scale at 950 seats all draw consistent positive mentions from heritage and architecture enthusiasts.
Practical observations: the heritage building is closed for interior access (since 2013); exterior views from Church Street remain rewarding for photography and heritage interest; the active parish meets at 338 Church Street with Sunday services 10am, 5pm and 7pm; the parish remains community-active with Alpha courses, youth ministry and small groups; combine with The Square and other central heritage sites for a wider heritage walk.
Where to Learn More
All Saints Parish Palmerston North: active parish site with current services at 338 Church Street, programmes and contact details.
Wikipedia: All Saints’ Church, Palmerston North: full history including Clere commission, John Henry Meyer construction, 1914 opening, 1916 consecration, closure and strengthening efforts.
Heritage New Zealand: All Saints’ Church: Category 1 Historic Place listing (registration 191).
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the heritage church?
On Church Street in central Palmerston North, opposite the historic Grand Hotel and just off The Square. The 1914 building is currently closed for interior access.
Is the church open?
No. The 1914 heritage building has been closed since 1 April 2013 due to earthquake-resistance concerns. Seismic strengthening is planned. The active parish meets at the All Saints Community Centre at 338 Church Street, with Sunday services at 10am, 5pm and 7pm.
Can I attend a service?
Yes – at 338 Church Street (the All Saints Community Centre), not the closed heritage building. Sunday services 10am, 5pm and 7pm. Contact 06 358 2203 or in**@*********nz.com for current arrangements.
When was the heritage building built?
Construction commenced February 1913; opening ceremony 6 May 1914 by Bishop Sprott; consecration 29 October 1916.
Who designed it?
Frederick de Jersey Clere, who from 1883 was the architect for the Anglican Diocese of Wellington and during his career designed over 100 churches. His son Herbert Clere supervised the Palmerston North construction.
What style is it and how many seats?
English Gothic, in brick using the English bond pattern. The church seats 950 people.
Is it heritage-listed?
Yes. Heritage New Zealand Category 1 Historic Place, registration 191, registered 16 November 1989.
Why is it closed?
Following the 2011 Christchurch earthquake, Palmerston North City Council found that All Saints achieved just 3% of the strength required by the New Zealand building code. It closed on 1 April 2013. The 2013 Seddon and 2014 Eketahuna earthquakes caused further cracking. Strengthening (estimated NZ$4 million in 2014) is being progressed by the parish.
For more heritage sites, see the historical and cultural sites hub. Combine with Caccia Birch House and other central Palmerston North heritage stops.