Springston

Springston
Rural settlement
War memorial in Springston
War memorial in Springston
Map
Coordinates: 43°38′S 172°25′E / 43.633°S 172.417°E / -43.633; 172.417
CountryNew Zealand
RegionCanterbury
Territorial authoritySelwyn District
WardSprings
Electorates
Government
 • Territorial authoritySelwyn District Council
 • Regional councilEnvironment Canterbury
 • Mayor of SelwynSam Broughton
 • Selwyn MPNicola Grigg
 • Te Tai Tonga MPTākuta Ferris
Area
 • Total0.37 km2 (0.14 sq mi)
Population
 (June 2024)[2]
 • Total570
 • Density1,500/km2 (4,000/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+12 (New Zealand Standard Time)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+13 (New Zealand Daylight Time)

Springston is a small rural Canterbury town in the South Island of New Zealand

Springston was developed around the mid-19th century, beginning with the establishment of Spring Station by James E. FitzGerald, who farmed there from 1853 to 1857, and then again from 1860 to 1867.[3] The first building in the village was a Methodist church, which opened in 1866 (replaced by a second building in 1873).[4] Walter Lawry, who emigrated with his wife and 10 children to New Zealand in 1862, was Methodist preacher in Springston for 50 years.[5]

St Mary's Church, which opened in 1875, was one of the earliest Anglican churches in Canterbury. Clergyman Harry Stocker, newly arrived from Ireland, helped organise subscriptions and donations to fund the building of both it and St Paul's in Tai Tapu (1876). Both churches were designed by Christchurch architect Frederick Strouts, who later designed Ivey Hall at Lincoln University.[6]

The George Roy Store was formerly known as Howard and Dartnall, a store established in 1874 by Harry Lloyd Dartnall in partnership with his relative Mr. Howard.[7] Other historic buildings include the Springston Hotel, the original Methodist parsonage, and four cottages over 100 years old.[8]

The Springston rugby grounds at the Domain hold rugby cricket and tennis for locals and surrounding residents. The Springston Pony Club started the South Island's Springston Trophy in 1976. Springston has a pub, dairy, and community hall on Leeston Road.

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference Area was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ "Aotearoa Data Explorer". Statistics New Zealand. Retrieved 26 October 2024.
  3. ^ McIntyre, W. David (1990). "FitzGerald, James Edward". Dictionary of New Zealand Biography. Retrieved 4 December 2019.
  4. ^ "Springston Medthodist Church jubilee celebrations". Ellesmere Guardian. 2 August 1916. Retrieved 4 December 2019.
  5. ^ Chambers, W. A. (1993). "Lawry, Samuel". Dictionary of New Zealand Biography. Retrieved 4 December 2019.
  6. ^ Holmes, John (1977). Saint Stephens Church, Lincoln, Historical Notes. Lincoln: St. Stephen's Church.
  7. ^ Dartnall, Cyril (2002). "Springston Store – Howard and Dartnall". Selwyn Kete. Retrieved 4 December 2019.
  8. ^ "Springston". Selwyn District Council. Retrieved 4 December 2019.