Christchurch Cathedral Being Built
Always loved this photo – The Cathedral being built in 1880.
A.F.A.C. Monument
In the north eastern corner of Latimer Square stands the A.F.A.C. monument to the Australian Emergency Services that took action in Christchurch during those first few dark days in February 2011. In the shape of a bench, it is made from rubble taken from the Christchurch Cathedral. A closer look shows years and years of …
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Benjamin Woolfield Mountfort
Benjamin Woolfield Mountfort (1825 – 1898) Died of old age Place of Death: Christchurch Benjamin was the first official Provincial Architect, designing buildings such as the Canterbury Museum, Arts Centre, Christchurch Cathedral, Addington Prison, St Peter’s Anglican Church of Papanui. Buried in the Holy Trinity of Avonside Church Cemetery, Christchurch The story of Benjamin …
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Benjamin Woolfield Mountfort (1825 – 1898)
Benjamin Woolfield Mountfort stepped off the Charlotte Jane – full of ambition and cathedral-sized dreams! Born in Birmingham, England, the young Benjamin moved to London and studied architecture. Finishing his studies in 1848, he rolled up his sleeves and practised his new trade right there in London. With Emily, his wife of 18 days, his …
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ILAM – J.C. Watts-Russell (1825 – 1875)
Jesse Watts-Russell sure helped his son J.C. when he purchased for him 500 acres from the Canterbury Association for the new colony of Christchurch. 10 acres of this was in Lyttelton and the rest would become known as Ilam. 1850 would be a huge year for J.C.; he married Elizabeth Bradshaw and the newly weds …
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Octavius Mathias (1805 – 1864)
Rev. Octavius Mathias – 1805 – 1864 Reverend Octavius Mathias no doubt knew that it was him behind Bishop Harper’s comment that some of the early clergymen of Canterbury just lacked the commitment. Educated at Cambridge, Octavius became a Chaplin in the Royal Navy. Taking a keen interest in New Zealand, he was one of …
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Cornerstone Of The Christchurch Cathedral Laid – 16th December 1864
December 16, 1864 was a very special day for Canterbury, for two very good reasons. Firstly, it was the 14th anniversary of the arrival of the Canterbury Association’s First Four Ships – the Charlotte Jane, the Randolph, the Sir George Seymour (arrived 17 Dec) and the Cressy (arrived 27 Dec). Secondly, the cornerstone of what …
