Our History

Early Settlement

The early Presbyterian settlers in Dunedin built up a network of congregations in the south from 1848. The Rev. Thomas Burns, the first minister in Otago, occasionally visited the outlying parts of his parish, which extended as far south as Riverton.

Later, the Rev. Bethune worked as a schoolteacher in Invercargill during the week and preached on Sundays. As the population grew, the people asked for a minister in the Southland area. In 1860, they ordained and inducted Rev. Andrew Stobo.

On 28 July 1864, Rev. Thomas Alexander was inducted into the parish of Long Bush, Oteramika, One Tree Point, and Mabel. The district of Long Bush included what is now known as Woodlands. Woodlands as the name for the district first appeared in church records in 1883.

During these early days, William Johnston's home at One Tree Point and the Long Bush schoolhouse hosted services.

Building the Church

The first recorded meeting of the session was on 8 March 1865. On March 12, 14 people attended the first communion service.

In 1866, William Johnston, Donald McKerchar, and George Dawson were elected as elders, and George Dawson was appointed session clerk. In the same year the first manse was built, at the top of the drive on the old church site west of the Woodlands cemetery.

The present Woodlands church and hall were opened in 1967. The site was donated by the Woodlands Presbyterian Development Trust, formed by church members who contributed to buy and develop the Waitane Sawmilling Company land.

The Parish Expands

Morton Mains built the church in 1933, and Gorge Road joined the parish in 1935. The Gorge Road church closed in 1990 due to inadequate numbers. In 2002, Morton Mains Church shut down after its regular attendance dropped to approximately six people.

In earlier decades, the parish had up to four services each Sunday across Morton Mains, Gorge Road, Woodlands, and Dacre Hall. The minister often led morning, afternoon, and evening services.

Today is a contrast to those older patterns, and few people attend church unless they are interested. The church continues to pray that its witness would remain centred on Christ crucified.

A Living Faith

Rev. Alexander retired as minister in 1887 but lived in Woodlands until he died in 1900. At a special jubilee service in 1898, he recalled that his first sermon in the parish was from 1 Corinthians 1:23: We preach Christ crucified.

Rev. Alexander also said, The Lord has been with us in the past; may He continue to be with us in the future. That remains our prayer for this church.

Over the years, members have received friendship, fellowship, acceptance, teaching, correction, and encouragement through the ministry of this church. Thanks be to God.