St Bartholomew’s Church is recognised as the oldest surviving timber church in Canterbury. It was designed by Benjamin Woolfield Mountfort, with the first section of the church, now the nave, built on land now known as Darnley Square and opened in 1856. The church was relocated to its present site in 1859-1860 and the sanctuary and transepts were added in 1862.

DPA Architects were appointed by the Christchurch Anglican Church Property Trustees to repair damage caused by the Canterbury earthquakes in 2010-2012 and to remediate any deferred maintenance. The church was lifted off its existing foundations and rolled on timber rails to an adjacent site so new foundations could be built. Bearers and buttresses were then repaired, along with damage to the external cladding. The roof was replaced and the belfry removed for repairs and restoration. Other remedial works involved rebuilding and repairing original leadlight and stained glass windows, and reoiling all of the interior timber.

The project was recognised in the 2018 New Zealand Commercial Project Awards with a Silver Award in the Heritage/Restoration Category.

Photography: Sarah Rowlands