Friends of Old Saint Paul’s
The Friends of Old St Paul’s Society Inc is a non-profit charitable organization dedicated to preserving and promoting the historic Old Saint Paul’s Church, Wellington, New Zealand.
The Friends are passionate about the preservation and story of Old Saint Paul’s Church. We work to promote the building’s rich history in the life of our city and nation, to ensure that the building is maintained to the highest standards, and open for all to experience and appreciate its beauty and heritage.
Our Purpose
Established in 1965 to save the building from the threat of demolition and ensure its preservation, the Friends now act as guardians or kaitiaki of the church.
We work alongside Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga, (formerly Historic Places Trust) to help fund projects, advocate of behalf of the church, welcome visitors, organise events, and continue special traditions such as the annual commemoration of the consecration of the building on 6 June 1866 and the December Citizens’ Christmas Carol Service.
A major focus of the Friends is to promote the rich history of Old St Paul’s Church and its significance in the life of our city and nation, past, present, and future.
We are governed by a committee which is elected at the Annual General Meeting usually held late March. We welcome guests to our AGMs, which usually include an interesting speaker and conclude with refreshments.
Since the building’s acquisition by the NZ Government in 1966, the Friends have undertaken a range of projects to enhance the building. Major projects supported by the Friends include:
Significant financial support towards Heritage NZ’s restoration and seismic strengthening of the church following the 2016 Kaikoura earthquake
Acquisition of the beautiful pipe organ, built by the South Island Organ Company
Installation of five bronze bells to replace the original three.
To mark Old St Paul’s 160th anniversary, the Friends are looking to add a sixth, a small tenor bell.
The current set of five bells allows for 120 ringing changes. Increasing the set to six will mean the possibility of 720!
Upcoming Event
The Friends of Old St Pauls, warmly invite you to the Annual Citizens Carol Service
Tuesday 1 December 2026, from 6.30 – 7.30 pm.
The Church doors will open at 6 pm.
Come early to enjoy hearing (and seeing) Old St Paul’s bells ring out across Thorndon, from 5.40 pm. Please be aware that access will not be possible during the ringing. If you need accessible access, please get in touch so we can make sure you can access your pew - fospmembership@gmail.com
The service will be led by Fr Patrick Bridgman of the Metropolitan Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, Hill Street.
Players from the hugely popular Hutt City Brass, with director Matthew Stein, will again be joining us.
We are delighted to also welcome back Wellington’s Bach Choir, with director Shaun Condon.
The Bach Choir’s final concert for 2026, Sing We Novell, will be on Saturday 12 December, 2 – 4 pm in beautiful St Mary of the Angels, Boulcott Street. Come and enjoy an afternoon of festive music, accompanied by players from Wellington Brass. Tickets at Eventfinder: https://www.bachchoirwellington.org.nz/events-2-1/sing-we-nowell
In 2026 the Friends will continue our Christmas tradition of support for the Wellington City Mission’s Social Supermarket. Please bring non-perishable, packaged pantry goods as generously as you are able. And do consider including popping in a special little festive treat. There will be also a cash koha offertory during the service.
The community Carol service at Old St Paul’s is always a wonderful start to the festive season.
Bring along your friends and family and enjoy a magical evening in a magnificently decorated Old St Paul’s, 34 Mulgrave Street, Thorndon.
People We Work With
The Friends of Old St Paul's are proud to work alongside Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga who care for Old St Paul's.
The volunteers, who are essential to help with all aspects of what we do, cannot be thanked enough. Without them, we would not be able to operate.
We are also pleased to acknowledge and thank organisations who have so generously supported our work recently:
The Adam Foundation
Wellington City Council Creative Communities Fund
New Zealand Post
As well as those who have donated through collections or personally and by bequest.
Old Saint Paul’s
Old St Paul's is one of New Zealand's greatest heritage places, and is arguably one of the finest examples of timber Gothic Revival architecture in the world.
It is widely regarded as Architect Reverend Frederick Thatcher's (1814-1819) best work in New Zealand.
The church was constructed from a selection of the finest New Zealand timbers and the church's special qualities have been retained and enhanced by the additions, which were seamlessly incorporated into the building by a succession of skilled architects.
Old St Paul’s, although still consecrated, is regarded as a non-denominational church with the Anglican Church retaining a residual interest. It is used for weddings, funerals, and christenings as well as exhibitions, plays, and concerts.
34 Mulgrave Street, Pipitea, Wellington 6011
Old St Paul’s Church is open daily from 10.00 am to 4 pm. It is closed Christmas Day and Good Friday, and on Anzac Day (25 April) until 1.00pm.
News
Donate to Us
Friends of Old St Paul's Society
02 0500 0162639 00
Please include your name and a reference (Subscription / Donation) in your deposit details. If your donation is $5 or more, you may be eligible for a tax credit from IRD. Please also email the Membership Secretary (membership@friendsofoldstpauls.org.nz) if you would like a receipt.
Donate to our Endowment Fund
Give today to support the work of the Friends for generations to come.
To be part of the next chapter of Old St Paul’s, you can donate to the Friends of Old St Paul’s Endowment Fund via internet banking, donating online or by leaving a gift in your will.