St Peter’s Anglican Church

In 1847, land was set aside for St Peter’s Anglican Church in Onehunga. This marked the beginning of a rich history for the church. The first church services in Onehunga had actually taken place a year earlier. These services occurred on the first Sunday after the arrival of the Fencibles. St Peter’s Church itself arose in 1848. It stands as one of Auckland’s oldest churches. The very first service echoed within its walls on Saint Peter’s Day, June 29th, 1848. A stone wall was added to the church grounds in 1853. Part of this original wall still remains today. A notable change occurred in 1857. The tower and spire were relocated to the south side of the church. St Peter’s Anglican Church continued to evolve. As the congregation expanded, the original wooden structure underwent extensions in the 1860s and 1870s. More significant alterations took place in 1931. The wooden chancel, sanctuary, and tower were demolished. They were replaced with concrete and brick versions. However, the nave of the church remained in use. By the 1970s, the original timber nave, designed by Selwyn, had deteriorated. The congregation made a decision. They chose to construct a new church. This new building would encompass the 1931 portion. The new St Peter’s Anglican Church was completed just in time for its opening. The opening was also on Saint Peter’s Day, June 28th, 1981.