Photo: David Hensel
Churches big and small throughout Aotearoa New Zealand are vital spaces of culture and community but there are increasing challenges with heritage restoration and their relevance in today’s world.
Around the country there are parishes operating from halls and community centres while precious traditional places of worship are boarded up.
A recent renovation in Pōneke Wellington offers inspiration. On Friday a small Anglican church in the suburb of Island Bay won the Small Project category at the New Zealand Architecture Awards.
St Hilda's Renovation Island Bay Photo: David Hensel
St Hilda’s Church now features a bold and beautifully folded patterned screen on its front that replaces the original 1910 brick façade.
When faced with earthquake-strengthening the façade, the judges noted “the congregation and [architects] First Light Studio undertook the brave move to demolish it and extend and open the church to the street with a glazed, laminated-timber arched bay window.”
The judges said this decision shows what can be done with “big imagination and a collaborative spirit”.
The renovation came after a one-year ultimatum from Wellington City Council in 2017 to address the church building’s earthquake-prone status.
St Hilda's Renovation Island Bay Photo: David Hensel
The design also extends the church’s nave, providing more space for the baptismal font and additional seating.
The new façade also brings more light into the interior. The existing weatherboard sides of the church were extended towards the footpath, creating walls to support full-height glazing.
In front of this glazing stands what is described by the architects as “a golden tessellating veil, adorned with a pattern that represents the history, future, people, and essence of the place and the church.” Replacing the traditional stained glass, it brings pattern through light into the interior.
“We were really represented by a brick wall previously,” quips Priest in Charge, Reverend Mark Henderwood, “and, you know, that sucks… it was hiding us and speaking the wrong message. This is congruent and aligns with who we are and our public face.
“The stones on the front of churches often say ‘to the glory of God’ and I don’t feel that glory when I see these buildings… this feels like it is giving glory to God and is enabling goodness to happen in the community.”
The project has already won a Wellington Architecture Award, and was recognised at the 2023 NZ Timber Design Awards for its blend of heritage construction with modern timber innovation.
St Hilda's Renovation Island Bay Photo: David Hensel
The project has allowed the Anglican Diocese of Wellington to re-imagine what a church might look like and reconsider how it is supporting their mission with the community.
Culture 101's Mark Amery is joined by Reverend Mark Henderwood and First Light project architect Bronwyn Phillips.
St Hilda's Renovation Island Bay Photo: David Hensel
