| HOPETOUN ALPHA |
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The Beresford Street Congregationalist Church 1875, re-named St James' Church in 1965, now Hopetoun Alpha |
| Hopetoun Alpha |
| Built in 1875, as the home of the Beresford Street Congregational Independents, Hopetoun Alpha's elegant Greek Doric architecture was the design of the well known architect, Philip Herepath. |
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| Captain William C Daldy was also involved in the project and was a major contributor in financing the construction, which is reputed to be the first poured concrete building in New Zealand. |
| In March 1876 a series of opening dedication ceremonies took place, one of which was a Public Meeting chaired by Sir George Grey. The first church service to be broadcast live across New Zealand was from Hopetoun Alpha in 1925. |
| In 1965 the nearby St James Church in Union Street burnt down and the two congregations combined. The Beresford Street Church was renamed St James at this time. |
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| Because of the construction of the Auckland motorway system in the 1960s the population of inner city Auckland, especially Freemans Bay dropped dramatically. The Beresford Street Congregationalist Church was one of several churches in the area to experience hardship from dealing with an ageing building and a dwindling number of members. |
| The Beresford Street building was over a hundred years old and in need of many repairs. The expense of earthquake strenghtening in particular was beyond the ability of the congregation. Eventually the decision to relocate was made and the building put up for sale. |
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| The building had no heritage protection at this time so it was very fortunate that Ashton Wylie purchased the building in 1994 with a view to preserving it. The Aston Wylie Trust proceeded to renovate this unique and stunning architectural building to an exceptionally high standard. |
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| The building now has a Grade 1 rating from the New Zealand Historic Places Trust and is scheduled A by the Auckland City Council which ensures it the highest grade of protection available. |
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| The Ashton Wylie Charitable Trust |
| Ashton Wylie was an Auckland businessman who had a wide range of other interests, some of which unfortunately were unable to be fully developed before his untimely death in late 1999. In his Will, Ashton directed that a Charitable Trust be formed "for the principal purpose of assisting people to become more perfectly loving by bringing the creative quality of love and relating positive activities and qualities into their relationships and their experience". |
| The Hopetoun Alpha Name and Symbol |
| The Name |
| Literally translated "Hopetoun" means "Town of Hope" but what was trying to be created on this site was a centre, a miniature town of hope and positivity, a "Life Centre" for the future, with its beginnings - this historic church. Alpha being the Greek work for beginning together with Hopetoun fitted well with the objectives - new beginnings with hope and positivity. |
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| The Symbol |
| The circle represents the earth, universality - the globe - our home, the cross symbolises a blend of female and male and the arrow is our forward and upward direction as we all move into a brave new future as one. |
| The Venue |
| Hopetoun Alpha is now one of Auckland's most prestigious venues hosting a wide range of events. All proceeds from this venue fund Ashton Wylie's designated charities. |
| Contacts |
| Phone 373 3112 |
| 19 Beresford Square |
| www.hopetounalpha.co.nz |
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