This week and next we will be taking an overview of Presbyterianism in New Zealand.

We begin with the 19th century when Presbyterianism in New Zealand was almost entirely a settler church and divided into two bodies - the Synod of Otago south of the Waitaki River, and the Presbyterian Church to the North.

If you have access to Dennis McEldowney, Presbyterians in Aotearoa, you will also find the first two chapters helpful:

Peter Matheson, "1840-1870. The Settler Church," and

Ian Breward, "1871-1901, Clamant Needs, Determined Battlers"

Note that each of the chapters tells us something about the interests of the author as well as about the main lines of development in the period they are writing about.

Another useful book which has the advantage of still being in print (UBS have it in Dunedin, and I am pretty sure Epworth will be stocking it in Wellington) is Allan Davidson, Christianity in Aotearoa. A History of Church and Society in New Zealand. 2nd ed. Wellington, New Zealand: Education for Ministry, 1991. especially 33-35, 44-45, 64-72, 76-80, and 90-92.

You may find it helpful to construct a timeline and get a sense of the geographical flow of the growth of the church in New Zealand up to the year 1900.

Discussion Question,

Choose an event or personality in the 19th century Presbyterian Church in New Zealand and say why they were important.

Blessings,

John

John Roxborogh