I first saw Trinity in 1993 and it made very much the same first impression on me. Once inside however one is overwhelmed by the charm and elegance of the interior space. Trinity is beautiful in its simplicity.

Since buying it in 1993 we have cleaned, tidied and repaired. She is now something to be really proud of.

HISTORY. Canterbury was designed as an Anglican Province. Trinity came about as a result of the beliefs of a small number of determined independants (Congregationalists) who first met in 1862 and who bought the block of land for 500 Pounds. In 1872 the church committee decided to complete a building constructed to hold 550 to 600 people at a total cost of 3000 Pounds and that sketch designs should be invited from Messrs Farr, Mountfort and the Dunedin firm of Armson and Lawson.

Each architect was paid 12pounds 10 shillings for their concept drawings. The selection of architect was difficult. Sameul Farr was one of the churches deacons but had designed the "new" Town Hall in 1864 which was badly damaged in an earthquake in 1869 and he was blamed for the serious cracks that developed. When his career was at a low he became manager of the Fancy Bazaar and Stationery Depot in Columbo Street. Mountfort had also had his difficulties. His career in New Zealand had begun inauspiciously in 1857 with the disintegration and eventual demolition of his grand Church of the Most Holy Trinity in Lyttelton. This calamity wrecked his career for years and he made ends meet as a stationer, newspaper agent, drawing teacher at Christ's College and photographer.

Mountfort did not receive many grand opportunities until he was selected as architect for the Christchurch Club (1861). If the Christchurch Club was an opportunity to impress the club members, who had influence and power in Canterbury, accepting the commission from the Congregationalists would have had the opposite effect. It is possible that Mr Mountfort's career hiccup with Church of the Most Holy Trinity was good fortune for Trinity Congregational Church.

The Encyclopedia of New Zealand describes Benjamin Mountfort as "an architectural giant among the sandhills, swamps and open spaces of Canterbury Plains; a genius working in the raw materials and severely crude limitations of the early days". His work includes the Canterbury Provincial Government Buildings, Canterbury Museum and Canterbury University College complex. He is also credited for improving the original design of the Christchurch Cathedral.

THE BUILDING. Trinity was built to a budget. On 10th March 1873 the church committee accepted the plans Mountfort designed to seat 550 at a cost of 3200 pounds. Mr Mountfort emphasised that there would be no unnecessary ornament which, although much has been changed, remains the very essence of Trinity.