History

Before St Andrew‘s

The pioneering Church Missionary Society missionary in the Cambridge area was Archdeacon Alfred Nesbit Brown. Archdeacon Brown’s journeys took him across the Waikato and locally he worked with the people of Maungatautari south east of Cambridge. The second Vicarage was dedicated to his honour and its foundation stone is found now near the main vehicle entrance to St Andrew’s. Cambridge was established as a military settlement in 1864. Soon after, Bishop Selwyn sent a lay reader here.

In 1871 the Rev. L.C. Brady of Te Awamutu began monthly Anglican services in the Wesleyan Chapel (on the site now occupied by New World supermarket). In the same year steps were taken to acquire a site for a church building and the first church committee was formed.

Original St Andrew‘s

Surprisingly the St Andrew’s we know is the new church. The original St Andrew’s Church was built on the same site and consecrated on the 11th of April 1873. The total cost, including belfry and steeple, was £300.

Just a few years later the building was found to be inadequate for a growing parish. It was shifted and served as a hall for many years before being restored and incorporated in the new Parish Centre in 1983. You can see the old church as you leave St Andrew’s – on your left.

The Present St Andrews

Plans for the new church were prepared by Irish-born architect Edward Mahoney (1824-95) who worked in Auckland and Thames.  Among his other designs are Holy Sepulchre: Auckland, St George’s: Thames, Holy Trinity: Dargaville and St Patrick’s Cathedral in Auckland. Mr. W. G. Connolly was the builder. The foundation stone was laid by the Governor, Sir Arthur Gordon and the church was consecrated on St Aidan’s day, the 31st of August 1881.

Prior to completion, the Vicar remarked that ‘the material is excellent and the construction solid and the appearance promises to be as elegant as the drawing foreshadowed. It is going to be something like a church.’ The entire cost of the new church, with furniture and fencing, was £2205.

The Steeple

The steeple is the highest point in Cambridge. It is 33 metres high. It was originally topped with a weather vane in the shape of two fishes. However, in 1952, when the steeple was repaired, this was replaced by a cross. A peal of bells was installed in 1879 but they were not adequate and heavier bells were substituted in January 1884. The peal is made up of six bells.