About our space
The church is the oldest public building in Newlands, built in 1912 to serve the spiritual needs of the small farming settlement. Its architect, Frederick de Jersey Clere, built many similar ‘flatpack’ rectangular country churches all around Aotearoa. In the 1960s the main church space was extended to serve the growing suburb, and a hall was added. In the 1990s, a foyer and additional offices made up the space you see today.
What's the vibe?
The historic part of the church is like an upturned boat, with wooden rafters. We have a lovely pair of stained glass windows, and some fabulously retro carpet.
In the hall, imagine the rectangle space with wooden floors reminiscent of country community halls. There is a small kitchen down one end with serving hatch, and two toilets.
People have described our space as ‘cosy’ and ‘like a living room’. It’s not glamorous, but it’s authentic. It’s a great space for community meetings or training courses, for family celebrations, children’s birthday parties, and small weddings.
What spaces can we hire?
The church
The church has a mixture of fixed wooden pews, and stackable chairs. It sits 60-70 comfortably. It has a projector and screen, with a separate confidence monitor, a sound desk and a selection of microphones including a label mic. There is a good quality electric piano too.
The church is heated by fixed wall bar heaters.
The hall
The hall has six trestle tables, and three junior size trestles (9 in total). The hall seats 40-45 pax comfortably when seated around tables, or with chairs arranged in rows. White tablecloths are also available.
There are approximately 40 cushioned stackable chairs for use between church and hall. We may be able to arrange foldable chairs for an additional fee, or you are welcome to bring in your own.
The hall has its own sound desk and sound system. The hall is also heated by fixed wall bar heaters.
Kitchen
The small kitchen consists of an oven, microwave, fridge and freezer, a selection of arcroc mugs and drinking glasses, and a matching set of white dinner plates, bowls, side plates, and teacups and saucers.
There is a zip for hot water, and a selection of tea pots and coffee plungers. We have two filter vacuum urn moccamasters for use for an additional fee.
The Lighthouse Room | Te Ahi Kā
Off the lobby, the Lighthouse Room | Te Ahi Kaa can be used as a small breakout room for meetings (seating about 8 pax).
Other Equipment
We have a large LED TV screen on a trolley which can be connected to the hall speakers
We also have a double-sided whiteboard, again on wheels
We also have a range of play equipment for younger children, which is useful for birthday parties
Access
Parking is on-street only, with the exception of one disabled access park on the forecourt of 198a Newlands Rd. The path from there which leads to church is a little narrow and is a mixture of bricks and grass.
There is ramp access into the church itself, and most doors open to wheelchair width. Sadly toilets are not wheelchair friendly at present. We have changing facilities available.
Is it weird to hire a church?
This is your community church and you are so welcome to be here, whether you’re spiritual, religious, or nothing at all. All we ask is that you treat our space with respect, especially the church itself.
We do reserve the right to decline your hire request though if we have concerns about what you plan to use the space for - but we’ll talk through this with you.
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to ask our team.