Old St Paul's

History

Old St Paul’s was built between 1865 and 1866 on what was originally the site of Pipitea Pā, a Māori settlement on Wellington’s waterfront. It was the first church in New Zealand to boast a full 'peal' of bells, that is, more than a single bell that was traditional in most other churches at the time. 3 bells were ordered for the church in 1866 from the Bell Foundry 'John Warner and Sons' in Cripplegate, London, UK, and were installed the following year. They were rung for the first time on 31 March 1867. 

Unfortunately, they didn't ring together for very long. By 1916, the bells were no longer being rung full circle, as the mechanism was reported to be broken, and it was believed that the small, wooden tower was unable to withstand the force of all three bells ringing. Then in 1940, the tenor bell cracked, which is suspected to be due to the bells being "clocked" instead of rung full circle - a technique frowned upon in the ringing world as the bells are hit much harder this way, It was sent to a Wellington engineering firm, forgotten about, and not rediscovered until 1990 when a bell ringer, Terry Barrett, found it being used at St Barnabas' church in Khandallah. It has since been repaired and returned to Old St Paul's, where it is currently on display. The remaining two bells were transferred to the new cathedral in 1964 and rang there until they were melted down and incorporated into the new set of 14 for the cathedral in 1981. 

The bells we ring at Old St Paul's today are a light ring of five bells cast by Whitechapel Foundry (tenor 3-3-25cwt), the result of a major campaign and fundraising effort by the Friends of Old St Paul’s in the 1970s to restore bells to the tower. These were first rung on 27 October 1979. They are still rung today for weddings and special events, but it is hoped that a regular practice will be established again at some point.  

A sixth bell hangs in the tower; the "Shaw Saville" bell, donated to the church in 1958 by the shipping company Shaw, Saville & Albion, to mark their centenary. It currently has no function and is only rung occasionally for visitors.

You can find out more about the bells by following the links below: 

History of the Old Bells

New Bells

Change-Ringing Bells of New Zealand: Old St Paul's 

For Inscriptions, Audio Recordings, and more. 

Dove's Guide details