The grand old lady of Baring Square East, the Methodist church will turn 100 next month with a celebration church service and lunch.
It takes place on March 8.
Parish steward Judith Crozier said registrations were slowly coming in and they look forward to receiving more in the coming weeks.
‘‘It will be great catching up with people, sharing memories, and celebrating our church building turning 100,’’ Judith said.
The immediate past president of Te Hahi Weteriana o Aotearoa The Methodist Church of New Zealand and former parish minister Reverend Rev Peter Taylor will preach at the service at 10am.
Taylor was minister of Baring Square Church at the time of the 2010 earthquake which subsequently led to the long-term closure of the church while strengthening work and major renovations took place.
‘‘It could have gone either way in regard to whether we opened the church again. It was a nervous time for us. The Methodist Church of New Zealand stepped in and helped us hugely with finances so we could re-open the church,’’ Judith said.
The restoration on the church began in 2019 and on February 18, 2023, the parish celebrated the official opening of the restored building with Taylor officiating.
The organisers of the centennial are on the lookout for any photos, stories and memorabilia to add to the celebration.
The Methodist faith has been part of the fabric of Ashburton for over 150 years, with the original church being on Wills Street before worship moved to the current site.
Following the amalgamation of the Primitive and Wesleyan Methodist church in Ashburton, a new church was built, opening on March 13, 1926.
Prior to that, The New Church Ladies Guild was formed in 1920 and set about fundraising for the new build.
Messrs Tuckers Ltd was awarded the tender in December 1923 to construct a stone and brick church to seat 450 with a later additions of gallery to seat 75.
The foundation stone was laid in April 1925 coinciding with the 50th anniversary of Methodism in Ashburton.
The church was opened with a debt of 1000 pounds that was paid off in the first 10 years.
In 1954 major work was undertaken on the outside of the church.
One area that needed significant work was the tower with almost 2000 bricks needing to be replaced.
In 1999 a tower giving visitor the opportunity to take in the view across Ashburton was opened in the church. It proved popular with visitors but closed after the earthquakes damaged the building.
With the new church opening in 1926, the old church sitting alongside of it was used for the church hall. Due to concerns about it safety the hall was demolished in 1959 when a new hall was constructed
That hall too was demolished as the district council bought the site to establish the new library and civic centre.
‘‘Our church is in a bit of unique position we are the only Methodist church between Christchurch and Dunedin,’’ Judith said.
– Anyone with memorabilia or photos can drop them into the church office in Baring Square East on Thursdays and Fridays, 9am to noon. Register for the centennial celebrations on March 8 by emailing [email protected] church in Ashburton, a new church was built opening on March 13, 1926.
