A legacy built on faith. That’s what the Upper Hutt Uniting Parish represents. Standing before this remarkable building you are witnessing a testament to the enduring spirit of Upper Hutt.
The Upper Hutt Uniting Parish is more than just a place of worship. It’s a vibrant hub of community life. Its story begins long before its current form. It’s a story woven from the threads of several congregations. St David’s Presbyterian Church opened its doors in 1879. This was on land generously donated by George Brown. A prominent Wellington architect Thomas Turnbull designed the original structure. Interestingly a Presbyterian Sunday School functioned in the Rose of Sharon Lodge Hall for eighteen months before the church’s official opening.
The growth of Upper Hutt spurred the establishment of additional preaching places. These included Whiteman’s Valley in 1893 St Margaret’s Silverstream in 1930 St Andrew’s Trentham in 1933 and Iona Ebdentown around 1957. Each location served its community faithfully. Over time these became independent parishes.
A significant turning point arrived in 1976. Four Presbyterian churches St David’s St Andrew’s Iona and the Wallaceville church united with the Wesley Methodist Church. This formed the Upper Hutt Co-operating Parish. They chose the Wesley Centre in Martin Street as their base. The money from the sale of St David’s Church funded the construction of St David’s Hall. This hall stands behind the Wesley Centre today. In 1993 the name officially changed to the Upper Hutt Uniting Parish.
The parish is not just bricks and mortar. It’s the people who shaped it. In the early 2000s Rev Elaine Bolitho undertook a remarkable oral history project. She interviewed fifty-four members documenting their faith journeys and their experiences during the unification. These stories reveal the human heart of this enduring institution. The parish holds a rich history and a bright future. It continues to be a centre for faith and community in Upper Hutt.