Titirangi Soldiers' Memorial Church

About

The Titirangi Soldiers' Memorial Church is a historic war memorial and place of worship located in Titirangi, Auckland. Built to honour local soldiers who lost their lives in World War I, it is one of only two churches in New Zealand specifically designed as a war memorial. The church was conceived by Emily Bishop, whose two sons were among the fallen, and was intended as a non-denominational tribute to all soldiers, regardless of religious affiliation. Funded entirely through community-led efforts, including fundraising events organized by local women, the church was officially opened on 18 May 1924, with New Zealand’s Governor-General, Lord Jellicoe, presiding over the ceremony. Over the years, the church grounds have been expanded and enhanced, including the addition of a lychgate and bell tower in 1940. Initially shared by Anglican and Presbyterian congregations, the church has continued to serve as a place of worship and remembrance. It was granted Waitākere Heritage status in 1996 and rededicated in 1999 to honour Titirangi residents who lost their lives in later conflicts.

The Titirangi Soldiers' Memorial Church is one of only two churches in New Zealand specifically designed as a war memorial for local soldiers who lost their lives in World War I. The vision for the church as a non-denominational war memorial came from Mrs. Emily Bishop, whose two sons were among those lost in the war. She believed the church should honour all fallen soldiers, regardless of religious affiliation.

Funding for the memorial church was entirely community-driven, with local women leading fundraising efforts. The first major fund-raising event was a floral fete held at the Bishop residence, "Dunvegan," on 22 November 1919. Launched by Ethel Parr, wife of MP Sir Christopher James Parr, the event attracted a large number of attendees, including visitors from Auckland and its surrounding districts, as well as delegates from the Young Women's Christian Association convention in Auckland. On 9 December, the Titirangi Soldiers Memorial Church committee met to count the profits from the fete. They had raised over £300, which was placed in trust to serve as the foundation of the funds required to construct the church.

In January 1922, a significant meeting took place at Alec Bishop’s tea kiosk, marking an important step in the effort to establish a church in Titirangi. Unlike previous gatherings, this meeting also included two clergymen: Reverend Harold Robertson Jecks, the Anglican vicar of Avondale, and Reverend Angus MacDonald, the local Presbyterian minister. At the meeting, both ministers encouraged the community to continue their efforts toward building a church. In response, a small committee was formed to investigate construction costs, consisting of Nelson G. Hawkins, John MacFarlane, and Gus Bishop. By September 1922, Hawkins had offered land from his Ferndale Estate subdivision—near the corner of Park Road and South Titirangi Road—as a site for the church, an offer which the committee accepted. By October 1923, plans for the Church had been approved, with the estimated cost of the church was £850, of which £600 had already been raised through various community efforts.

Who designed the building is a matter of debate. Architect Herbert Clinton Savage offered his services to design the Titirangi Soldiers’ Memorial Church in 1922, a proposal that was accepted by the church committee. However, at the 1974 anniversary of the church, another individual, Mr. Souster, was credited as the architect, creating a discrepancy in historical records. The reason for this inconsistency remains unclear.

The construction of the Titirangi Soldiers' Memorial Church was carried out by several contractors, each responsible for different aspects of the build. The contract for the concrete block construction was awarded to Kershaw Brothers, while Titirangi local Harry Jenkin oversaw the timber work and interior finishing. The firm of Winstone Ltd supplied and installed the tiled roof. The concrete blocks used in the church were produced at the Kershaw Brothers' yard in New Lynn. Although hollow concrete block construction became widespread in New Zealand after the Second World War, it had first been introduced in Wellington in 1904. However, its use in the Titirangi Soldiers' Memorial Church was an uncommon choice for a church building at the time.

Construction benefited from local volunteer labour, however it soon became evident that the Trust did not have enough funds needed to cover the entire cost of building. To cover the shortfall, a £300 loan was secured from the Auckland Savings Bank. The total cost of the church amounted to £920, while the solid rimu seats, generously donated, were valued at £140. The debt was gradually repaid through community donations and by 13 December 1929, the church was entirely debt-free.

The Titirangi Soldiers' Memorial Church is one of only two churches in New Zealand specifically designed as a war memorial for local soldiers who lost their lives in World War I. The vision for the church as a non-denominational war memorial came from Mrs. Emily Bishop, whose two sons were among those lost in the war. She believed the church should honour all fallen soldiers, regardless of religious affiliation.

Funding for the memorial church was entirely community-driven, with local women leading fundraising efforts. The first major fund-raising event was a floral fete held at the Bishop residence, "Dunvegan," on 22 November 1919. Launched by Ethel Parr, wife of MP Sir Christopher James Parr, the event attracted a large number of attendees, including visitors from Auckland and its surrounding districts, as well as delegates from the Young Women's Christian Association convention in Auckland. On 9 December, the Titirangi Soldiers Memorial Church committee met to count the profits from the fete. They had raised over £300, which was placed in trust to serve as the foundation of the funds required to construct the church.

In January 1922, a significant meeting took place at Alec Bishop’s tea kiosk, marking an important step in the effort to establish a church in Titirangi. Unlike previous gatherings, this meeting also included two clergymen: Reverend Harold Robertson Jecks, the Anglican vicar of Avondale, and Reverend Angus MacDonald, the local Presbyterian minister. At the meeting, both ministers encouraged the community to continue their efforts toward building a church. In response, a small committee was formed to investigate construction costs, consisting of Nelson G. Hawkins, John MacFarlane, and Gus Bishop. By September 1922, Hawkins had offered land from his Ferndale Estate subdivision—near the corner of Park Road and South Titirangi Road—as a site for the church, an offer which the committee accepted. By October 1923, plans for the Church had been approved, with the estimated cost of the church was £850, of which £600 had already been raised through various community efforts.

Who designed the building is a matter of debate. Architect Herbert Clinton Savage offered his services to design the Titirangi Soldiers’ Memorial Church in 1922, a proposal that was accepted by the church committee. However, at the 1974 anniversary of the church, another individual, Mr. Souster, was credited as the architect, creating a discrepancy in historical records. The reason for this inconsistency remains unclear.

The construction of the Titirangi Soldiers' Memorial Church was carried out by several contractors, each responsible for different aspects of the build. The contract for the concrete block construction was awarded to Kershaw Brothers, while Titirangi local Harry Jenkin oversaw the timber work and interior finishing. The firm of Winstone Ltd supplied and installed the tiled roof. The concrete blocks used in the church were produced at the Kershaw Brothers' yard in New Lynn. Although hollow concrete block construction became widespread in New Zealand after the Second World War, it had first been introduced in Wellington in 1904. However, its use in the Titirangi Soldiers' Memorial Church was an uncommon choice for a church building at the time.

Construction benefited from local volunteer labour, however it soon became evident that the Trust did not have enough funds needed to cover the entire cost of building. To cover the shortfall, a £300 loan was secured from the Auckland Savings Bank. The total cost of the church amounted to £920, while the solid rimu seats, generously donated, were valued at £140. The debt was gradually repaid through community donations and by 13 December 1929, the church was entirely debt-free.

The Titirangi Soldiers' Memorial Church was officially opened on 18 May 1924, marking the establishment of the first church in the settlement. The opening ceremony, held on a Sunday afternoon, was attended by a large crowd, including returned soldiers, local residents, and dignitaries. The Governor-General of New Zealand, Lord Jellicoe, presided over the event, accompanied by his son George Jellicoe.

The devotional service was conducted by Reverend H. R. Jecks, vicar of Avondale, and Lieutenant-Colonel Angus MacDonald, minister at the New Lynn Presbyterian Church. Music for the occasion was provided by the Temperance Guards' Band.

In his speech, Lord Jellicoe stated that there could be no better memorial than the church itself, where worshippers would always be reminded of the sacrifice of Christ as well as the young men of Titirangi who gave their lives in service of the Empire. He expressed Their Majesties’ deep sympathy on behalf of King George V and Queen Mary to all those in the community who had lost loved ones in the war. As a symbolic gesture, Nelson Hawkins, chairman of the church trustees, presented Lord Jellicoe with a silver key engraved with a New Zealand fern. That evening, the first service was held in the new church, conducted jointly by Reverend Jecks and Reverend MacDonald before a large congregation.

At the time of its construction, the Titirangi Soldiers' Memorial Church did not have sufficient funds to erect a Roll of Honour. However, through continued community fundraising efforts, a black granite plaque designed by sculptor William Henry Feldon was unveiled by Governor-General Sir Charles Fergusson on 18 April 1926. In his address, the Governor-General spoke of the three key aspects of remembrance: thankfulness, commemoration, and dedication. He emphasized the importance of honouring the sacrifices of the fallen, educating future generations about their service, and carrying forward the values of duty and self-sacrifice.

Rifleman Percy Thomas Armstrong served in the New Zealand Rifle Brigade, 3rd Battalion, B Company. Living in Mount Albert, Auckland, he was the son of Leonard John Armstrong Eliza Jane Armstrong, who resided in the Auckland suburb of Morningside. Before enlisting, he worked as a packer.

Armstrong joined the New Zealand Expeditionary Force, 29th Reinforcements, and embarked from Wellington on 13 August 1917 aboard the SS Mokoia. He was deployed to the Western Front, where he served in France. He was killed in action on 9 September 1918 and is buried at Metz-en-Couture Communal Cemetery in France. He was 26 years old at the time of his death.

2nd Lieutenant John Joseph Bishop was born on 7 July 1893 in Titirangi, Auckland, the eldest son of John Joseph Bishop and Emily Jemima Surman. He attended Auckland Grammar School, matriculating in 1910, before training as a teacher at Auckland University College. He later became head teacher at Kaitaia School but enlisted for war service on 11 December 1915.