How can a building tell a story? Greyfriars Eden Epsom Presbyterian Church has many stories to tell. It is more than just bricks and mortar. It’s a living testament to community and faith.
Greyfriars Eden Epsom Presbyterian Church stands proudly on Mount Eden Road. This church is an early 20th-century Presbyterian Church. Heritage New Zealand has it listed as a Category 2 building.
Originally, it was known as Mt Eden Presbyterian Church. Auckland was expanding rapidly. Farmland was transforming into urban areas. These new communities needed their own churches. In 1915, the Presbytery of Auckland started evening services. They used the Masonic Hall on Woodside Road. These services became very popular. Mount Eden was given a home mission.
The Presbytery paid Archibald Grandison \u00a32,200. This was for a church that could seat 300 people. Thomas Mullions was the architect. He designed the building with ferroconcrete. Reverend R. Scott West officially opened it on February 25, 1917. Soon after, Reverend J. W. Shaw became the minister on April 12.
In 1919, the church bought a manse on Penrhyn Road. The cost was \u00a31,450. By 1921, a Sunday school was thriving in the basement. Reverend Shaw resigned due to health issues. Reverend Leonard H. Hunt took over on July 7, 1921. Under Hunt, a new Sunday school was built in 1928. A pipe organ was also installed.
Reverend E. J. Tipler became the minister on March 16, 1933. Sadly, he passed away less than three years later. Reverend John A. Allan replaced him on May 14, 1936. He resigned in December 1937.
Reverend J. Douglas Smith became minister on July 7, 1938. World War II soon began. Many members of the congregation served. The church sent food parcels to Britain and Europe. It developed close ties with Trinity Presbyterian Church in Plymouth. After the war, the church built a memorial hall. This honored members who died in both World Wars. They raised \u00a33,000 for its construction. The hall opened in 1952. It cost over \u00a311,000. Susan Wilkie’s estate gifted \u00a316,000. She received a memorial plaque on April 11, 1954. The church began restoration work after finishing the memorial hall. Services were held in the hall during this time.
Reverend Douglas Watt became minister on April 30, 1953. In 1956, growth led to big plans. They extended the church. A new pipe organ was installed. A new manse was built. A new Sunday school opened. By 1963, all goals were achieved. The church added a car park. A cloister connected the tower and sacristy. The building expanded for more seating. A spire was erected on the tower. The spire was 35 ft high. It made the total height 63 ft. In 1959, the congregation asked for a formal name. They voted between St. Mark’s and Greyfriars. Greyfriars won. The church was named Greyfriars Presbyterian Church, Mount Eden.
In December 2012, services moved to the memorial hall. The church building was at risk of collapse in an earthquake. Seismic strengthening was too expensive. As of 2024, the church building remains unused.
In 2014, the congregation merged. They joined with Epsom Presbyterian Church. They became Greyfriars Eden Epsom Presbyterian Church. Today, Greyfriars Eden Epsom Presbyterian Church stands as a symbol of faith. It shows community spirit. It has faced challenges. It has celebrated milestones. It continues to welcome all. It invites everyone to share in its ongoing story.