Cemeteries

Historic Cemeteries

Addington Cemetery

Selwyn Street (between Disraeli Street and Fairfield Avenue)

The Addington Cemetery was established in 1858 when the Scottish Presbyterians of St Andrew’s Church purchased land for a cemetery in Selwyn Street. Although not the first cemetery in Christchurch, Addington was in fact the first “public” cemetery, “being open to all persons of any religious community” and allowing the performance of any religious service “not contrary to public decency”. The other major cemetery at Barbadoes Street primarily provided for Anglican services, thus many of the more radical personalities, who were not prepared to conform to Anglican services, opted for the Addington Cemetery. The profits made from the purchasing of plots went towards the acquisition of sites for religious and educational purposes, the relief of the poor and provision of bursaries for the Christchurch High School (today known as Hagley High School).

The first burial took place on the 10th of November 1858. The deceased was accident victim George McIlraith, who died at age 20. The cemetery was used up to the mid 1980’s with only a few burials since then. In the 1950’s the St Andrew’s Church trustees passed control over to the Christchurch City Council who have maintained the cemetery as one of the city’s recognised "green spaces". The cemetery has several persons of note buried within its grounds including activist Kate Sheppard, Christchurch Mayor Tommy Taylor and members of the pioneer family, the Deans.

A heritage rose garden is currently being developed in the cemetery.

A map of the Addington Cemetery can be viewed here [PDF, 1.65 MB, free PDF reader].

A plan of the Addington Cemetery can be viewed here [PDF, 283 KB].

Further information on Addington Cemetery can be found at:
hristchurchcitylibraries.com/Heritage/Cemeteries/Addington/