Chapter XI.
THE CHURCHES—CEMETERIES—BIRTHS, DEATHS AND MARRIAGES.
CHURCH OF ENGLAND.
THE Church, St. Mark’s, and the Parsonage stood on the Camp Reserve in Darkie’s Terrace Road. On 15th June, 1868, a public meeting was held in Jolliffe’s Oddfellows Hotel, and was addressed by the Bishop of Nelson, the Chairman being the Resident Magistrate, Mr. Lightband. The following motion was moved by Mr. Gasquoine, seconded by Mr. McCoy, and carried: “That the inhabitants of this district deem it advisable to take immediate steps for the erection of a place of worship in connection with the Church of England, in Charleston.” A canvass for funds was inaugurated which secured about £300.
It was decided to build upon the Camp Reserve, and the Government upon request granted the right. Plans and specifications for a church and parsonage were drawn by Thomas Hope, the church to have seating accommodation for 150 persons. Tenders were called for on 8th July, 1868, and that of Stainer & King, accepted, for £404/18/-. The first service was held on 11th October, 1868, the Rev. B. W. Harvey being the preacher.
In 1913, when the church collapsed in a gale, there were so few worshippers that a sufficiently large church was built out of the wreckage, the builders being Messrs. Hurburgh and Percy Craddock. This small building still stands. The parsonage, or vicarage, adjoined the church, and a report made in 1927 stated that “all trace of it has long since vanished.”
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