Zion Hill Methodist Church (237 Onewa Road)

The oldest church in Birkenhead, the Zion Hill Methodist Church was designed by William F. Hammond and built by Charles Johnson on land donated by Mr Creamer in 1880. Its location at the intersection of the road to Northcote and Hauraki Road demonstrates the importance of this intersection in the earliest days of Birkenhead’s history, before Highbury was developed as the commercial centre of the suburb. Legend has it that the name of the church was chosen by the Presbyterian minister Reverend Allum, who was entranced by the view of the Waitematā from the top of the ridge.

Shortly after the New Zealand Sugar Company’s refinery opened in 1884, the church required a substantial upgrade. In 1885, Mr Pickering designed a Gothic-revival-style church, which was built under the guidance of James Llewellyn and opened in 1888 beside the earlier octagonal structure. A later addition to the church was a schoolroom, built in 1902 by Fred Souster. It was used to hold Birkenhead Borough Council meetings until a purpose-built structure opened in 1906.

The Methodist congregation in Birkenhead was a powerful political force at the turn of the century. In addition to enforcing the Sunday sabbath with puritanical absoluteness, the community also banned all public houses, bars, and hotels from the suburb in pursuit of temperance. As other churches opened in Birkenhead and the town expanded, the importance of Zion Hill Church declined, but it still functions as a Methodist church and hosts many events each year.

Use the crosswalk to cross Birkenhead Avenue and then turn left.