“To know and share God’s love”
Kia mau, kia uru te aroha o te Atua
Chartwell Cooperating Church (St Alban’s) has been a cooperating church of Anglicans, Methodists and Presbyterians since the early days of the Chartwell suburb. We seek to honour these Christian traditions in both worship and life and welcome people with different understandings of the Christian faith.
We hope that Chartwell Church will be a place to grow in your faith and to make new friends who can encourage and support you in life. Our ministers are people with whom you can talk frankly about any particular concerns. We hope you will explore the opportunities we offer and in the process we’re sure you will find the Parish has a warm and welcoming atmosphere.
Our Team
Sylvia O'Leary
Parish Administrator
The role is a busy one, coordinating the many and varied activities and groups, as well as the “nuts and bolts” of a vibrant and busy church. The Parish Administrator is the first point of contact and can help with, or direct, any enquiries as required. Sylvia has been a member of our church for 12 years and is a wealth of knowledge. What she doesn’t know, she’ll find out!
Parish Council
Parish Council is the group who are elected to administer and manage Parish life as oversight of the Church. They meet on a monthly basis.
Parish Council Chairperson: Heather Kikkert
Parish Council Deputy Chairperson: Kelera Luvu
Secretary: Annette Mudford
Church Teams
The following teams are responsible for creating a smooth and efficient working environment for the parishioners, the ministry team and staff. Each team is accountable to the Parish Council.
Conveners:
Executive Team: Erica Harris (acting)
Worship: Gloria Zanders (acting)
Pastoral Care and Support: Barry Neal (acting)
Healing Group: Merlene Woolerton
ICT: Erica Harris
Fundraising: Erica Harris
Youth and Family: Amanda Bowcott
If you would like to know how to become a member of a team please contact our office on 855 7434.
History and Origin
St Alban’s parish was first an extension of St Aidan’s Anglican parish, Claudelands. It began in a church hall, built on the corner of Comries and Herbert Roads to serve the new suburbs of Queenwood and Chartwell. It was then the only community building in the area. In 1966, a core group of local Christians from Anglican, Methodist and Presbyterian backgrounds decided that if they worked together in one church, pooling resources, they would then provide a natural focus for Christian worship and action in the neighbourhood, and so combined worship began. This concept was in accord with the growing enthusiasm in the national churches for progress towards unity. It was in this context that Chartwell Church became a reality. Community use was encouraged from the beginning: Plunket, kindergarten, indoor bowls, flower shows. There were active women’s and youth groups, a large Sunday School and a Spring Fair.
Because of the need for more space, in 1973, the Anglican building was moved to the large Methodist site on the corner of Comries Road and Bellmont Avenue, Chartwell, and with Presbyterian funds was greatly extended. In June 1975, the parish was reformed under national guidelines as the Co-operating Parish of St Alban’s, Chartwell and in July, St Mary’s, Gordonton [ex Cathedral Parish] became part of the Cooperating Parish. They are now a stand alone Parish again. From 1977 – 1983, the Rototuna Methodist Church was also part of the Parish. Ministry through the years has been provided, from each of the denominations. As a response to continuing church growth and needs of the community, the church complex has been enlarged, altered and added to a number of times. In 2000, the completion of a new worship centre gave additional space and more flexible possibilities.
Our Partner Churches
Chartwell Cooperating Church (St Alban’s) has been a cooperating church of Anglicans, Methodists and Presbyterians since the early days of the Chartwell suburb. We maintain these links with our parent Church bodies, which provide guidance, direction and a rich source of information and history.
Anglican Church in Aotearoa New Zealand and Polynesia:
www.anglican.org.nz
Anglican Diocese of Waikato and Taranaki:
https://www.wtanglican.nz/
Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand:
www.presbyterian.org.nz
Methodist Church of New Zealand:
www.methodist.org.nz
Uniting Congregations of Aotearoa New Zealand:
www.ucanz.org.nz