St. John in the Wilderness is understood to be the oldest church in the Marlborough district. It was deicated by Bishop Suter in 1871. It is a small wooden building situated on the main road between Blenheim and Picton.
It has a grade C historic buildings classification.
The first Anglican Church in Beavertown (Blenheim, as it is now known) was erected from the revised plans of John Barleyman in 1861 at a cost of 334 pounds. 
This was somewhat cheaper than the original plan prepared by Maxwell Bury which would have cost 884 pounds. 
This church was dedicated on the 22nd December, 1861. 
By 1875 the first church was proving too small, so at this point in time it was decided to erect a new building closer to road and use the old church as a Sunday School.
 
The foundation stone of this new church, designed by architect W. Douslin, was laid on the 1st of November, 1877. 
The Bishop of the Nelson Diocese at that time, Bishop Suter consecrated the building on the 21st of February, 1879. 

Of particular note are the font and eagle lectern carved by Chinese sculpture Ah Gee.

The first St. Paul's in Canvastown was built on land purchased by Bishop Suter. The church was erected in 1872 and dedicated on the 7th of December that year.
It was closed for a time shortly after being built but re-opened again in 1881.
This first church was replaced by the building in the above photograph after 25 years.
The second St. Paul's was consecrated on the 24th of February, 1910.
Copyright Adrienne Richards Feb. 2000
Copyright Adrienne Richards Feb. 2000
This little church was my priority to photograph as I'd been told that it had just been sold.  The children living across the road from the church confirmed this and they thought it was going to be used as a shop.  Time will tell.
St. Michael's Church was built in 1913 and consecrated by Bishop Sadler on the 29th of September, 1923.



Copyright. Adrienne Richards. 2000
There were sheep in the church grounds too, but they were too shy and didn't want to be included in the photograph.

This little church is out in the middle of the countryside but can be viewed from State Highway 6 between Nelson and Blenheim. The only other non farming building in the area is the pub, which is a some kilometers further down the road.

It is Inter-denominational (Presbyterian, Methodist and Anglican) and dates from the end of WW1.

This old postcard was sent 1910.