Church of St Mary: 150th birthday party

Over 150 years ago, when the Canterbury Association began their Christian settlement in the valley behind Lyttelton Harbour, they had plans for an impressive parish church to be built for the new town of Christchurch.

Fate, however, had a different idea. A lack of funds meant that the Canterbury Association could only afford a small wooden church building for the new parish. In 1860, the quaint, serene Church of St. Mary was built on the Bridle Path Road in Heathcote.

Today, this beautiful little church sits opposite the Heritage Park on Truscotts Road, and will soon be celebrating its 150th birthday as one of the oldest church buildings in Christchurch.

Designed after the 12th Century stone Church of St. Lawrence on England's Isle of Wight, St. Mary's today hosts a vibrant Anglican congregation and shares its site with the oldest Village Hall in Heathcote Valley.

For her 150th Jubilee, the family at St Mary's will be hosting a long weekend of family events, reunions, Jubilee dinners and services that are open to all who want to celebrate this milestone in Christchurch history. The celebration will take place over the weekend of August 13-15 at the church and adjoining 100-year-old Village Hall.

The weekend will begin at noon Friday with a celebratory luncheon for Seniors, followed that evening with an Opening Evening Conversazione for interested Heathcote Valley residents and friends. Saturday will offer an Historic Bridle Path Commemorative Walk with some participants in period costume.

Then on Saturday evening, current and past congregation members will gather for a catered Jubilee Dinner featuring guest speaker Gordon Olgilvie, a respected Christchurch historian and an engaging speaker. On Sunday the weekend will wind down with a special morning worship service, an afternoon Organ Recital featuring Jeremy Woodside, and finally an evening service in the Church of St. Mary itself.

Anyone interested in joining the celebration at St. Mary's are encouraged to contact (03) 338-1770 or for more information and registration.