St Andrew’s Church

The foundation stone for this gothic-style church was laid on 21 January 1881 by the Governor of New Zealand Sir Arthur Hamilton-Gordon.  The day the building was consecrated, 31 August 1881, was declared a holiday in Cambridge. 

The first resident vicar was Rev William Willis who arrived in 1878 and stayed for 34 years.  The church was built by William G Connolly, from the plans of Thomas Mahoney, and it was said that Rev Willis checked each piece of timber, rejecting anything that was not heart Kauri.  A memorial stained-glass window has been installed in memory of Archdeacon William and Mrs Mary Willis. 

The first wedding in this church was between Thomas Napoleon Peek and Sarah Ann Robertson on 11 March 1882. 

The church spire contains a peal of six bells tuned to the key of F.  The bells, weighing 30cwt, were installed in 1884.  These are manually rung on Sundays and special occasions by a guild of bell ringers.   

A model of the church, made by tinsmith Joseph Harrison in 1892, has been gifted to the Cambridge Museum. 

St Andrew’s Church postcard, early 1900’s

Architectural description 

The church is of gothic style, consisting of nave, transept, chancel and vestry.  It is built of heart kauri with a gabled porch with decorative brackets and a rose window.  It has exposed high ceilings and lancet windows.  The spire is of copper and reaches 107 feet.   

Category 

This category A building of traditional church architecture is well maintained with exposed high ceilings.  It makes an important Victorian statement at the town’s entrance.   It is important to the community’s consciousness. 

Details

Sources 

Waikato Times, Volume XVI, Issue 1334, 18 January 1881, Page 2 

Waikato Times, Volume XVII, Issue 1430, 1 September 1881, Page 2 

Waikato Times, Volume XVII, Issue 1477, 20 December 1881, Page 2 

Cambridge Museum Archives