Historic building given new life Historic building given new life
The former Kakanui Presbyterian church, a modest Carpenter Gothic building designed by renowned Scottish-born Dunedin architect Robert Arthur Lawson, has undergone a significant transformation in recent years. Once the spiritual heart of Kakanui, the timber church had weathered decades of change before its final service in November 2019.
Designed to seat 100 worshippers, the church was constructed in just three months during a period of ambitious development. Hopes were high that the newly built port would turn the coastal settlement into a major export hub. While those dreams faded, the church remained a part of the community's life for nearly 150 years.
When Michael Simpson and Anna Miles first saw the church listed for sale, it was the building's historical and architectural significance that drew them in.
"We like that it's Robert Lawson's smallest, most modest surviving building," Mr Simpson said.
Mr Simpson, a carpenter with heritage expertise, and Ms Miles, equally hands-on, saw the church as more than just a building.
"We never had a particular plan except to restore it. There was no timeframe, no budget — and that's why it's been such a pleasure," Mr Simpson said.
Since buying the property in 2019, the couple have steadily restored the structure, replacing sub-floor bearing joists, corner studs and weatherboards, improving drainage, restoring windows and repainting the interior. Their restoration has extended to the church's outbuildings — including the bible class hall added in 1933, two small buildings acquired in 1955 for the growing Sunday School and even a Brownies den.
Ms Miles said the emotional connections uncovered during the restoration had made the project even more meaningful.
"The more we've got to know the building, the more we've realised it's a special space that means a lot to a lot of other people.
"We see ourselves as stewards of the building."
Keeping the church's doors open has become part of the couple's philosophy. Visitors frequently drop in to share stories and memories or simply admire the restored space.
Since 2019, the church has hosted weddings, musical performances, art exhibitions and carol services.
Mr Simpson said it did not need to be a commercial space.
"But we've realised it should have a life of its own and a reason to exist. We get quite emotional seeing all the life in the building."
Now a listed category 1 historic place with Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga, the church has received official recognition of its architectural and social significance.
— APL
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Otago Daily Times
5 days ago
- Otago Daily Times
Historic building given new life
A small wooden church built in 1870 with hopes of serving a booming port town has found new life in the 21st century thanks to the dedicated efforts of two passionate owners. The former Kakanui Presbyterian church, a modest Carpenter Gothic building designed by renowned Scottish-born Dunedin architect Robert Arthur Lawson, has undergone a significant transformation in recent years. Once the spiritual heart of Kakanui, the timber church had weathered decades of change before its final service in November 2019. Designed to seat 100 worshippers, the church was constructed in just three months during a period of ambitious development. Hopes were high that the newly built port would turn the coastal settlement into a major export hub. While those dreams faded, the church remained a part of the community's life for nearly 150 years. When Michael Simpson and Anna Miles first saw the church listed for sale, it was the building's historical and architectural significance that drew them in. "We like that it's Robert Lawson's smallest, most modest surviving building," Mr Simpson said. Mr Simpson, a carpenter with heritage expertise, and Ms Miles, equally hands-on, saw the church as more than just a building. "We never had a particular plan except to restore it. There was no timeframe, no budget — and that's why it's been such a pleasure," Mr Simpson said. Since buying the property in 2019, the couple have steadily restored the structure, replacing sub-floor bearing joists, corner studs and weatherboards, improving drainage, restoring windows and repainting the interior. Their restoration has extended to the church's outbuildings — including the bible class hall added in 1933, two small buildings acquired in 1955 for the growing Sunday School and even a Brownies den. Ms Miles said the emotional connections uncovered during the restoration had made the project even more meaningful. "The more we've got to know the building, the more we've realised it's a special space that means a lot to a lot of other people. "We see ourselves as stewards of the building." Keeping the church's doors open has become part of the couple's philosophy. Visitors frequently drop in to share stories and memories or simply admire the restored space. Since 2019, the church has hosted weddings, musical performances, art exhibitions and carol services. Mr Simpson said it did not need to be a commercial space. "But we've realised it should have a life of its own and a reason to exist. We get quite emotional seeing all the life in the building." Now a listed category 1 historic place with Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga, the church has received official recognition of its architectural and social significance. — APL
Otago Daily Times
5 days ago
- Otago Daily Times
Historic building given new life Historic building given new life
A small wooden church built in 1870 with hopes of serving a booming port town has found new life in the 21st century thanks to the dedicated efforts of two passionate owners. The former Kakanui Presbyterian church, a modest Carpenter Gothic building designed by renowned Scottish-born Dunedin architect Robert Arthur Lawson, has undergone a significant transformation in recent years. Once the spiritual heart of Kakanui, the timber church had weathered decades of change before its final service in November 2019. Designed to seat 100 worshippers, the church was constructed in just three months during a period of ambitious development. Hopes were high that the newly built port would turn the coastal settlement into a major export hub. While those dreams faded, the church remained a part of the community's life for nearly 150 years. When Michael Simpson and Anna Miles first saw the church listed for sale, it was the building's historical and architectural significance that drew them in. "We like that it's Robert Lawson's smallest, most modest surviving building," Mr Simpson said. Mr Simpson, a carpenter with heritage expertise, and Ms Miles, equally hands-on, saw the church as more than just a building. "We never had a particular plan except to restore it. There was no timeframe, no budget — and that's why it's been such a pleasure," Mr Simpson said. Since buying the property in 2019, the couple have steadily restored the structure, replacing sub-floor bearing joists, corner studs and weatherboards, improving drainage, restoring windows and repainting the interior. Their restoration has extended to the church's outbuildings — including the bible class hall added in 1933, two small buildings acquired in 1955 for the growing Sunday School and even a Brownies den. Ms Miles said the emotional connections uncovered during the restoration had made the project even more meaningful. "The more we've got to know the building, the more we've realised it's a special space that means a lot to a lot of other people. "We see ourselves as stewards of the building." Keeping the church's doors open has become part of the couple's philosophy. Visitors frequently drop in to share stories and memories or simply admire the restored space. Since 2019, the church has hosted weddings, musical performances, art exhibitions and carol services. Mr Simpson said it did not need to be a commercial space. "But we've realised it should have a life of its own and a reason to exist. We get quite emotional seeing all the life in the building." Now a listed category 1 historic place with Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga, the church has received official recognition of its architectural and social significance. — APL
Scoop
5 days ago
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Kakanui Church Listed As Category 1 Historic Place
Press Release – Heritage New Zealand The Presbyterian church at Kakanui was designed by Robert Arthur Lawson, an important Scottish Dunedin-based architect, who designed many ecclesiastical buildings over his career. The owners of the former Kakanui Church, Michael Simpson and Anna Miles, are thrilled to see their restoration project entered on the New Zealand Heritage List/Rārangi Kōrero as a Category 1 place. The Presbyterian church at Kakanui was designed by Robert Arthur Lawson, an important Scottish Dunedin-based architect, who designed many ecclesiastical buildings over his career. The wooden, gothic-style church at Kakanui was built in three months to accommodate 100 people. It was built at a time when Kakanui had just built a port in the hopes of becoming a major export port. This growth never eventuated but the Presbyterian church remained a key community hub. The church's architecture was part of what attracted Michael and Anna to the property when they first saw it was for sale. 'We like that it's Robert Lawson's smallest, most modest surviving building' says Michael. 'It was pretty exciting when we looked at it and saw that it was one of his before we bought it.' For Michael and Anna, the purchase and restoration of the church has been a pleasure – they describe the restoration as their 'hobby'. When they bought the church, it needed significant work but that didn't scare the couple. Michael is an experienced carpenter with heritage expertise, and Anna is also hands-on. Gradually they have put new subfloor bearing joists in, replaced corner studs and weatherboards, restored windows, painted, and improved the drainage. 'We never had a particular plan except to restore it,' says Michael. 'There was no timeframe, no budget and that's why it's been such a pleasure. It is going really well at this stage.' Part of the journey of restoration has been discovering the emotional ties so many people have to the church. In addition to regular services, the church ran Sunday School classes, which were so popular that in 1933 a dedicated Bible Class Hall was added to the main church. In 1955, two further small buildings were purchased to accommodate the growing Sunday school numbers. The local branch of Brownies used one of these huts as their den. When Michael and Anna work on their church they have an open-door policy, they've found that people come to visit and chat. 'The more we've got to know the building, the more we've realised it's a special space that means a lot to a lot of other people', says Anna. 'For us, we're looking after it at the moment and fixing it up. We see ourselves as stewards of the building.' Now that the church is weathertight and stable, Anna and Michael have opened it up to community use. Michael says, 'we've had weddings in it, gigs, art exhibitions, and carol services. It doesn't need to be a commercial space, but we've realised it should have a life of its own and a reason to exist. We get quite emotional seeing all the life in the building. We never expected that side of what is our hobby. It's not what we went looking for but it's rewarding to see.' The listing process has highlighted the social and historical value to the Kakanui community. Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga Heritage Assessment Advisor, Alison Breese, has loved working on the project. 'This place is highly significant to the Kakanui community and has outstanding aesthetic, architectural and historic significance. As one of only two surviving Presbyterian timber churches in New Zealand designed by Lawson it's been a pleasure seeing the love and hard mahi the owners have put into it.' For Michael and Anna, the church entry on the New Zealand Heritage List/ Rārangi Kōrero is an important recognition of the significance of the church and will support its ongoing protection and recognition.
