To God be the Glory Holy Trinity Parish rejoices Four celebration services in two months—talk about hectic! But so much festivity and joy! Holy Trinity Church, in the parish of Avonside has been recreated, reinterpreted and reactivated. Devastated in the earthquakes of twelve years ago, the path to reinstatement was not always smooth or even certain, but now it’s rebuilt and reopened and the people rejoice. Our Story
The building was handed back to the parish, by Church Property Trustees (CPT), on 15 December, and a traditional tikanga blessing of the land, grounds and building conducted by Rev’d Irene Nelson, Te Pihopatanga o Te Waipounamu, Bishop Peter and Rev’d Jill Keir. Rev’d Phillip Robinson and team delivered a catered breakfast—8am on Tuesday 21st December 2021— celebration number one. Then, of course, Christmas! The people were so happy that the church was finished but didn’t want to have a Christmas Celebration mixed with a new church celebration, taking away from both. Hence, they decided to wait until new year to formally celebrate the
new build. In the meantime, they gladly went about Christmas celebrations in St Francis Hall with renewed joy—Saturday 25th December 2021—celebration number two.
use by Bishop Peter, another special liturgy, music, cake cutting and a socially distanced supper of generous proportions—Thursday evening 24 February 2022—celebration number four.
In early January, they held their first service in the new church and it was almost at capacity with approximately 70 people attending, a special liturgy, and a catered lunch enjoyed under the trees in the summer sunshine (a Covid inspired blessing)—Sunday 9th January 2022—celebration number three. And finally, exactly 165 years since the original building consecration, the new Holy Trinity Avonside was formally consecrated for liturgical and sacred
The Logo represents the Trinity: God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit.
Holy Trinity Avonside—the new church is cleverly and snugly on the old footprint. The church, nestled here among the mature plants and memorial stones, has a picturesque approach. Credit: AnglicanLife.
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Our Story | Words — Jo Bean
