About Church of the Good Shepherd
A small stone church rests beside the turquoise waters of Lake Tekapo, surrounded by indigenous plants and framed by open sky and distant mountains. Its rough local stone and weathered lichen echo the colours of the Mackenzie landscape, giving the impression that the building has grown naturally from the lakeshore. In this vast alpine setting, its quiet simplicity becomes its greatest presence.
The Story of This Place
The Church of the Good Shepherd opened in 1935 and was the first church built in the Mackenzie Basin. Its foundation stone was laid on 15 January, followed by its dedication on 3 August. The stone used for its walls was gathered within a five-mile radius and left unchipped in its natural condition.
Cultural Significance
The Church of the Good Shepherd is both a memorial to the pioneers of the Mackenzie Country and an active interdenominational place of worship. Built to reflect the quiet strength and simplicity of the district’s early settlers, it continues to hold regular services and remains meaningful to local residents and visiting worshippers.
The Experience of Visiting
Follow the short path across the lakeside grounds towards the compact stone church, pausing to take in its simple form against the turquoise water and surrounding mountains. Explore the grounds and walk around the exterior to appreciate the natural stonework, indigenous vegetation and uninterrupted alpine setting. Take time to enjoy the stillness and view the church from different perspectives as you wander around the grounds.
Natural Features
The church is surrounded by the turquoise waters, open skies and mountain scenery of Lake Tekapo. Its unchipped local stones retain their natural colour and lichen, while existing rocks and matagouri bushes were deliberately left undisturbed during construction. These choices allow the modest building to blend into the rugged Mackenzie landscape rather than stand apart from it.
Good to Know
- Completed in 1935, the Church of the Good Shepherd was the first church built in the Mackenzie Basin.
- Its walls were constructed from unchipped stone gathered within a five-mile radius.
- The original wooden-shingle roof was replaced with slate in 1957.
- The church remains interdenominational, with services held throughout the year.
Little-Known Facts
The original architectural drawings for the church were completed in November 1934, only months before its foundation stone was laid in January 1935.
The bronze sheepdog statue near the church honours all the working dogs that helped make sheep farming possible in the Mackenzie Country. It is a tribute to generations of farm dogs rather than a memorial to one particular animal.
One Thing to Know
The church and its grounds are maintained through donations and the work of local volunteers.