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Story: Public, commercial and church architecture

Christ Church, Russell

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Christ Church, Russell

New Zealand's first church, Christ Church in Kororāreka (later Russell), was built in 1835. It is an uncomplicated design but its lancet (pointed) windows reference the Gothic revival style. During the 1870s a porch and buttresses (for structural support) were added to the church, and a belfry was erected in 1890. In 1971 the original hipped roof was replaced with a gabled one. These changes made it appear more Victorian. 

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Te Ara - The Encyclopedia of New Zealand

by Melanie Lovell-Smith

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How to cite this page

Ben Schrader, Public, commercial and church architecture – Revivalist architecture: 1830s to 1860, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/44751/christ-church-russell (accessed 5 June 2026).

Story by Ben Schrader, published 28 March 2014.