St Peter’s Anglican Church

George Augustus Selwyn - April 11

Bishop of New Zealand

George Augustus Selwyn provided remarkable leadership for the church in New Zealand during the twenty-six years of his episcopate. His most enduring contribution was the first constitution of the Anglican Church in New Zealand. He was born in 1809 and was educated at Eton and St John’s College, Cambridge. He made friends there with many who were to prove extremely helpful in promoting his work in New Zealand. He was ordained deacon in 1833 and priest a year later and served as a curate at Windsor, a task he combined with tutoring duties at Eton. In 1839 he married Sarah Richardson. The Church of England was entering a period of turmoil over its place in the state and its role in national affairs. Selwyn developed high ideals of the autonomy of the church and of its responsibilities in society, especially in the field of education.

George Selwyn was appointed the first bishop of New Zealand when his brother William declined the position. Read more...