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Albert Ager, an architect of note

By Rosie Twamley

Albert Ager was an architect from Christchurch who briefly made his mark in Ashburton during the late 1890s and early 1900s.

Ager trained at the School of Architecture at Canterbury College, Christchurch. I t seems that before coming to Ashburton he lectured at the School of Art.

He delivered a series of lectures on the history of architecture which were fully illustrated by limelight views.

Limelight was a type of lighting once widely used in theatres and music halls. It gives its name to the expression ‘in the limelight’ to mean someone who is at the centre of public attention.

Ager also delivered lectures on the progress of architecture, this time at a meeting of the Canter bury College of Arts and Crafts G uild.

Most notably, in Ashburton Ager was the minister and pastor of the Baptist Church, and also designed the building.

This helped him gain the trust of the public, who would be his main customers in the years to come.

The Baptist Tabernacle was built in 1896 and burnt down in 1925.

One newspaper article notes that Ager took up church work af ter leaving the architectural profession but due to “circumstances over which he has no control” later found himself r eturning to architecture as his profession once again.

Returning to architecture he set up shop in the Arcade Chambers, with an ad in the paper stating “if you want a new house, or alter ations, or newest style decorations, consult Mr Ager”. I t seems that Ager was with the times and kept up to date with what was modern at the time.

A villa that Ager designed for Rev W Barnett was “fitted with all the latest modern conveniences”. Many designs were put forward for a new pavilion that was proposed to be built in the domain. U ltimately it was Ager’s design

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that was approved by the Borough Council. Another str ucture that featured in the domain was the grandstand built in c.1907, which Ager designed.

The Mayor, Henry Davis, complimented him on the design. Ther e is some insight into property Ager owned, with his purchase of Gertrude Bullock’s property, which was situated on the corner of Cass and Peter streets, on January 10, 1905.

Not much else is known of Ager but it seems clear that he left a legacy of architecture in Ashburton and was prominent in the to wn from the late 1890s and early 1900s.

1. The Baptist Tabernacle, designed by Albert Ager – architect, minister and pastor. 2. Prince Henry, Duke of Gloucester visiting Ashburton, January 19, 1935, on the Ager-designed grandstand in the domain 3. Advertisement for Ager’s business offering architectural design and alterations. 4. Postcard of a croquet match in the domain, with the pavilion Ager designed in the back ground.

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