Fire at the historic St Stephen Presbyterian Church on Jervois Rd, Ponsonby, Auckland Church

Emergency services rushed to Jervois Road after a major fire broke out at the historic St Stephen Presbyterian Church on busy Auckland Street.

Numerous fire trucks are on the scene. Several police cars have also cordoned off an area near the building.

Smoke from the fire can be seen from as far away as Auckland’s north shore.

Police said they were called in to help Fire and Emergency with the fire in St Stephens at 3.30pm.

By 5:45 p.m., 18 fire trucks had attended to fight the fire that was still burning, but
now content.

A police spokesman said they were helping to control traffic.

St. Stephens The Rev. Grant Ridout stood outside St. Stephens watching his church burn and said “he had been better” when asked how he was doing

“Actually, I don’t know much and I don’t think they know much yet. I just try to contain it and keep it a secret as much as possible, but there isn’t much information at this stage on how it started.” he said.

“The building was empty. I’m standing out front and there’s a lot of smoke and that’s pretty much all I know at this stage.

“I don’t know what it looks like inside or where things are. We’re just looking from a distance.

“Up there [in the roof of the church] they are practically wooden beams. The whole building is made of wood, so there isn’t much up there, there are only cavities. “

Ridout said there was no construction or any work on the roof.

Matt Mannoni of the Jervois Steak House, across the street from St Stephen’s, said at 4 p.m. that it appeared the fire was under control.

However, Jervois Rd was blocked and traffic was congested, Mannoni said.

“The traffic is quite congested. The road is completely blocked on both sides,” Mannoni said.

“It’s definitely something on the roof, that’s all I can see from here,” Mannoni said of the location of the fire.

On its website, the church states: “We believe the church is about imperfect people coming together to love God and each other. Our goal is to encourage, equip and stimulate each other in our love for Jesus Christ and his love for the world. .

“We don’t think the church should keep Christians busy doing internal things. We prefer to grow people than programs. We prefer to live the good news outside our walls.

“Come see us, we would love to meet you.”

It also reads: “St. Stephens Presbyterian Church in Ponsonby has stood for over 134 years and is listed as a Category 2 Historic Site with Heritage NZ.”

“The original church opened in 1879 and was designed in a neo-Gothic style by an established and well-known architect, Edward Mahoney.

“Later, in 1907, a significant extension was added in an Edwardian style influenced by the emerging Baroque style and designed by architect Robert Martin Watt.”

“In 1994, architect William Algie provided plans for renovations and additions to the Second Room, which included a hallway and porch connecting the building to the church. A verandah was also added on the east side and a parking area was developed outside. side, where a small cabin had previously been demolished before. “

“A mansion was also part of the original church complex and, having been designed and built in 1908, the building was finally sold in 1997.”