​ St David's Anglican Church - Belfast Part of the Northwest Christchurch Anglican Parish St David’s Anglican Church is located at 829-831 Main North Road, Belfast, Christchurch. The church, designed in 1902, and officially opened in 1903, replaced an earlier structure built in c1855. The church has significance as the site of one of the city’s earliest places of worship; as a site of Anglican worship in the present church for over a century, as a fine early Arts and Crafts church, and one of the few churches designed by prominent architect Samuel Hurst Seager. Built as a memorial to the early settlers of Belfast, there is a need to retain the cultural, spiritual and architectural significance of this building and preserve it for future generations.

Sundays @ St Silas Families We welcome families with children, young toddlers and babies into our church. If you have a toddler aged 0 - 5 Years we have an in-church space for colouring activities or activities. ​ ​ During the Week Toddlers 0-5 years Music & Movement Meets in the church - Thursdays 10.00am during term ​ This is a fun opportunity for toddlers to dance and sing to music in a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere. Mums, Dads, Grans or caregivers join in, and afterwards share in a cuppa and socialising. For info contact Office or phone 03-352-1366 for times.. ​ Orchard Youth @ Silas Church - Years 7-13 Friday Nights - 6.30pm - 8.30pm (during term) This group is for the youth Year 7-13. There are fun activities, games, and an opportunity to meet new friends, in a friendly environment. Check out our Orchard page - this gives further information to what is happening.

​ Sunday Night Pray er on Zoom @ 8.00pm - Join us on Zoom with others around the city for Night Prayer - each Sunday night at 8.00pm - click Zoom ​ ​ Past Services/Sermons - more in 2024

ARCHITECT’S PROFILE Samuel Hurst Seager CBE (1855-1933) Samuel Hurst Seager was born in London, England, on 26 June in 1855. He emigrated, with his parents, to New Zealand in 1870. From 1879 to 1882 he studied at Canterbury College and worked in the offices of Benjamin Mountfort. In 1882 he returned to England and studied architecture at London University College, the Royal Academy of Arts, and at the Architectural Association. He became an associate of the Royal Institute of British Architects in 1884 and was made a fellow in 1907. By 1884 Seager had returned to New Zealand and established his architectural practice. His first major design was for the Christchurch Municipal Offices (1885-1886) built in Queen Anne Revival style. This award-winning design established Seager as one of Christchurch’s leading architects. In 1899 he designed Knox church in Pigeon Bay and in 1902 St David’s church in Belfast. Seager was one of the earliest New Zealand architects to move away from historical styles and seek design with a New Zealand character. The Sign of the Kiwi and the Sign of the Bellbird illustrates this aspect of his work. In 1894 Seager became a lecturer in architecture and decorative design at the Canterbury College School of Art and continued in this position until 1918. He served on the college’s board of governors from 1910 to 1919. By 1900 Seager was recognised in New Zealand as a leading designer of private residences in the English Domestic Revival style, the best example being ‘Daresbury’ in Christchurch, built for George Humphreys between 1897 and 1901 and ‘Clarisford’ in 1914. In contrast to these, Seager also designed smaller cottages for relaxed informal living. Examples of his work include his own cottage in Cranmer Square (1899) and the Macmillan Brown Cottage in Cashmere (1901). Seager went into partnership with Cecil Wood from 1906 to 1912 and continued his work to develop a New Zealand architectural idiom. He also lectured widely on town planning and the need for appropriate legislation. In 1918 he was the Government representative at the second Australian Town-planning Conference and Exhibition, held in Brisbane, and he became the organising director of the first New Zealand Town-planning Conference and Exhibition, held in Wellington in 1919. The success of the conference, and the subsequent enactment of the Town-planning Act 1926, owed much to Seager’s foresight, commitment and energy. In recognition of his work he was appointed a CBE in 1926. A vigorous promotor of professional organisation and standards, he was President of the New Zealand Institute of Architects in 1926 and a member of the council and chairman of the Canterbury branch at various times between 1911 and 1926. He was also a pioneering advocate for the preservation of historic buildings, and, as a writer and lecturer, promoted a wider understanding of architecture and its history.

Church and Community Together making a difference We are believers in Jesus Christ. His love is for all people. We invite you to join our community of faith, to share in fellowship, love and working together, in life's journey. ​ Our Vision Loving God, Loving each other, Serving the Community Hi, I'm Victoria - vicar of NW parish. Come and join us @ either St Silas or St David's WHAT we are About About Us We believe in God's love and compassion. He brings HOPE to all; LOVE to all, PEACE and JOY.... Read on... Come and Join us ... We have lots of opportunities and activities for a variety of ages. Would you like to know more about our services or groups that interest you .... Read on... I would like to ask about.. It's okay to have questions and we hope to encourage you to feel reassured in your seeking. We have many different ways to help you find your belonging place.... Read on...

St David's Church, Belfast St David's Church was built in 1903 with a beautiful wooden structure. ​ The church has seating for approximately 80, with wooden pews for seating. A full refurbishment with new carpet, lighting, and other features was completed in 2020. ​ The complex is wheelchair accessible and there is a carpark behind the complex. ​ Inside View There is a modern audio visual setup with a large TV front and back. ​ The Tech Desk supports a 6 Channel Mixer, with 4 microphones linked thru a snake, and one handheld wifi microphone. The Tech Desk allows setup of laptop to project both to front and back. An electric piano, music stands and other gear is also available. ​ Inside the church The setting offers a beautiful and serene atmosphere for a variety of gatherings. ​ For more information about the background of St David's, please see our other Heritage pages on this site. For more information regarding hire fees, bond, and availability please contact us using the form below, or ring the Office 9.30am to 12.30am on 03 352 1366. Submit Thanks for submitting!

Thank You Built as a memorial to the pioneer settlers of Belfast, the Northwest Christchurch Anglican Parish recognised the need to retain the spiritual, historical, architectural and cultural significance of this building, and to preserve it for future generations. To this end, an extensive refurbishment of St David’s has now been completed and we wish to express our grateful thanks to the Christchurch City Council Heritage Division and the Environment and Heritage section of the Lotteries Commission for their Heritage Grants, the Phillip Brown Trust, the AAW, and individuals who made donations towards the project. Our grateful thanks also to the Anglican Diocese and CPT for their assistance. Without all your support we would not have achieved the extensive Scope of Works set down in the planning stages. We are delighted with the outcome and wish to thank all those involved in the project. Lisa Hurley (LH Design), John Smith (Plans/Drawings), Andy Douglas (Builder), Andy Burnett (Builder), Jason Ward (Painter/Interior Timber Refurbishment), John Perry (John Perry Electrical), Steve Hermens (Lighthouse Lighting), Victor Stewart (Stewart Stained Glass Ltd), Kay Nelson (Trinity Glass), Tracy Fayey (Floorpride), David Toland (Floorpride), Jill Jarvis (Irvine Flooring), Mike Connolly (4 Seasons ChCh Ltd), Mark Reid (Canterbury Scaffolding), Jacqui Beaton (Impressive Kitchens), Kyle Marshall (Haase Marshall Drainage) and Brian Walker (Spiderban). To the team that managed the project – Anne McMaster, Joanne Latham, Barbara and John Clark, Dorothy Bradley, and Gary Golding, Murray Trimmer and Ian Bisman during the early planning stages. Thank you to the many parish helpers who shifted pews, replanted gardens, and to the congregation of St David’s that have met at St Silas while the work was done. We want to open our doors to you as our community, to come and visit St David’s and join in on any of our services and activities, or book a special occasion. We look forward to welcoming you at St David’s in the near future. Donations for St David's may be made by Direct Credit to Northwest ChCh Parish account: 12-3149-0348631-01 Particulars: Your Name Code: St David's Project For tax purposes, if you are not a member of the parish, please contact the Treasurer for receipt.

Finding faith We know there are many people who have questions about Faith, and have never walked into a church, or had any experience of belonging to a Christian community. Stepping towards this is your first step in discovering a new life pathway, and if you have questions, we are happy to help answer some of these questions. ​ We look forward to meeting you and journeying together. Wardens: Peoples Warden - C Eaton Ph: 027 441 1490 Vicar's Warden - A McMaster Ph: 323 8859 Parish Office 237 Main North Road, Redwood, Christchurch 8051 P: 03 352-1366 ​ Hours: 9.30am to 12noon (Monday to Friday) If the office is unattended, please email our Office Administrator Web Manager: Any enquiries or corrections, please contact the Digital Adviser here .