Our Buildings
1912
St Stephen’s Anglican Church was founded in 1912, an offshoot of the St Alban’s Parish of St Matthew’s.
Our first building was located on the corner of Hills Road and Warden Street.
1952
St Stephen’s then started building a new church on the corner of Emmett Street and Shirley Road in 1950, among a new subdivision of 700 houses.
The church had it’s first service there in November 1952. This remained our home for nearly 60 years.
1960's
Rising numbers again meant more buildings were needed.
A new multipurpose block was built in 1961 with classrooms, offices, kitchen and toilets. This was opened in May 1962 and named The Marsden Family Centre after Samuel Marsden, the first missionary to New Zealand. This was very well used both on Sundays and during the week.
A Vicarage was also built on Emmett Street in late 1967.
1970's
With the church becoming debt free, this enabled the church to redecorate both inside and outside. The church was then consecrated on 6th December 1970.
2000's
A building programme was undertaken to create a new foyer, extensions and also to modernise the kitchen facilities. The new complex was consecrated by Bishop Coles on 7th October 2001.
A children’s playground was built on the side of the Marsden Centre.
A morning family church service in 2009.
2010-2011
After the first serious earthquake on 4 September 2010, we continued to use the church building. But after the next major quake on 22nd February 2011, it could not be used again.
Our last service was held on Sunday 20 February at 7pm.
Fortunately the Vicarage was still liveable.
The church building was then demolished in 2012.
2011
With not being able to return to our church building, the search was on to find somewhere else to meet.
We are very grateful to St Paul’s Lutheran Church in allowing us to use their building in the afternoons for the first six months.
Needing a more permanent home, we moved to Shirley Intermediate School for our Sunday service. For the first few months we met in the afternoons.
At the beginning of 2012, we were able to use the hall in the mornings, which continued for 10 years, until 10 July 2022.
Due to renovations done at the School, it was time to find a new venue for our service.
2022
On Sunday 17 July 2022, we had our first Sunday service at Mairehau High School, where we continue to meet each week.
2025
On 31 July 2025, St Stephen’s purchased Berwick Street building!
We plan to renovate and re-configure this building to suit our needs once it is available in late 2026 and hopefully move in mid 2027.
Our Ministers
Would you like to know more?
You can read this book written about the history of St Stephen’s for the 100th anniversary by Milton Hayward.
“A small history of a small suburban parish in a very small nation” as part of the celebration of the 100th year as the Church of St Stephen’s in Shirley.”
To order a copy, click on the book cover.
You can also borrow this book from the Shirley Library or view at Turanga in the City.
283.9383 HAY
