Auckland 1855

Situated on 2 harbours Auckland was built around the remains of 60 extinct volcanoes. European settlement began in 1840. 3,000 acres were bought from local Maori, (who had been there for nearly 850 years), for 56 pounds, plus blankets, tomahawks, tobacco, cooking pots, sugar and flour.

The south boundary of the city was K'Rd. Day trips for picnics were made to Onehunga. 15 years after the Treaty of Waitangi was signed, in 1855, 15 of the 6,000 residents of the pioneering town of Auckland started the Auckland Baptist Church.

The founder was Richard Shalders, an entrepreneurial shop-keeper aged 30, who had founded the YMCA the previous year. The church was born looking out. People were attracted to the Gospel message and the church grew rapidly.

Land was bought (now under the ASB Tower on the corner of Federal and Wellesley Streets), and a chapel to seat 350 people was built. Within a few years, however, this was too small and the building was extended to seat 500.

In 1881, Thomas Spurgeon (one of the twin sons of C H Spurgeon) arrived from London to pastor the church. Great crowds came to hear his preaching and soon a larger building was needed. At first, the Choral Hall on Symonds St was used, but proved unsuitable.

With faith and vision, the Church leaders secured the site on the corner of Queen St and Karangahape Rd, and proceeded to raise funds for a building to be modeled on the Metropolitan Tabernacle in London that would seat 1,500 people.

On Easter Monday, 1884, the foundation stone was laid. At this ceremony, Pastor Spurgeon announced that the building should be opened free of debt. The Tabernacle was opened on 12 May 1885. When the service began, 100 pounds was still required, and this was raised. When the people heard that the building was opened debt free, they sang the doxology over and over again, giving praise to God.

Over the years, the Tabernacle has been instrumental in the founding of the NZ Baptist Theological College (now Carey Baptist College) and the Bible College of NZ (now Laidlaw College) under the direction of Joseph Kemp.

Social concerns have also been important to the Tabernacle, which helped establish the Manurewa Children's home.

Today, the Tabernacle congregation is an international community and reflects the changing face of Auckland.