Saint Thomas’

Could a church crumble faster than faith? Here at Saint Thomas’, that question echoes through the stones. Saint Thomas’ has a unique story. It’s a story of resilience and rebirth, etched in the very foundations of this community. The first Saint Thomas’ Church, envisioned by Bishop Selwyn, arose in 1843. Built of volcanic rock and beach sand, it stood as a beacon of faith in the fledgling Tamaki settlement. The church’s design even incorporated loopholes, a stark reminder of the times. Can you imagine parishioners attending Sunday service, muskets at the ready? Bishop Selwyn himself often graced the pulpit, his passionate sermons captivating the congregation. He paced as he spoke, his words echoing off the stone walls. But the sea air and salty sand took their toll. The church began to crumble, its stones softening under the relentless ocean weather. By 1859, just 20 years after its construction, Saint Thomas’ was deemed unsafe and abandoned. The congregation, now without a spiritual home, returned to St. John’s College, reversing the pilgrimage they had made years before when the college lacked its own chapel. The ruins of Saint Thomas’ stood as a silent testament to the passage of time. Ivy, planted by Reverend Joseph Atkin, climbed the crumbling walls, adding a touch of melancholy beauty to the decay. Children were warned away, lest the unstable stones tumble down upon them. In 1954, the remnants were finally demolished, a necessary but heartbreaking end. But the story of Saint Thomas’ doesn’t end there. From the rubble emerged a new church, a phoenix rising from the ashes. Built in 1957, the new Saint Thomas’ echoes the style of the original, a nod to the enduring spirit of this community. Some of the original stones were incorporated into the new altar, a tangible link to the past. Even today, you can find basalt rocks scattered throughout the gardens, whispers of the original structure. And amidst these rocks, a sprig of ivy persists, perhaps a descendant of the ivy planted by Reverend Atkin, a symbol of Saint Thomas’ enduring legacy. So, as you stand here, at the site of a church twice built, remember the story of Saint Thomas’. It’s a story about faith and community. It’s a story about the enduring power of hope.