St Luke's Anglican Church, Mt Albert, Auckland- additions by Edward Bartley

Images Bartley Family Archive 2006

Auckland has some lovely examples of colonial period church architecture.

St Luke's was once in farmland, some distance from the centre of Auckland. It is now all but crowded out by retail precinct and highway, but still serving as a spiritual and community hub.

The nave and chancel of St Luke's was dedicated in 1872. The architect at that time was P. F. M Burrows. Later growth in the congregation required extensions to the existing church. The opportunity was taken to refit the interior and construct a vicarage. These additions were designed by Edward Bartley as Architect to the Anglican Diocese of Auckland.

Interior St Luke's about 2003 Image BFA

The remodelled building and the adjacent cemetery were re-consecrated in 1883. The church itself was doubled in size.
Increased capacity was achieved by extending the nave. Transepts were added. The chancel was altered to be formed by five sides with one centre window and two side windows. A communion rail was especially designed of polished rimu on burnished brass standards.
A porch on the north side of the nave at the west end was joined by a smaller porch at the corner of the south transept and the nave. A belfry and small spire were added to the west end.

Note the communion rail was removed in 20th century alterations.
Images Bartley Family Archive

This beautiful church was lined throughout with 4" V jointed matched and dressed kauri board, giving the interior that lovely honey glow characteristic of our native timber.

The interior is further enhanced by beautiful stained glass. 

A vote of thanks to the St Luke's community for their care for the building, cemetery and grounds.

Refer Anglican Church Gazette May 1883 p 43,44; NZH 9 May 1883 p6