It is located on State Highway 8, the main route from Dunedin to the inland towns of Queenstown and Alexandra.

Gradually, the commercial and administrative services for the what became known as the Tuapeka fields were concentrated on non-gold bearing ground 3 kilometres (1.9 mi) away at the entrance to the Gully.

[3] By 1864 most people had shifted from the canvas town across the stream to which quickly became the focal point for Otago's goldfield with a bank, hotels, ironmongers, drapers, a watchmaker, bookmaker, newsagent, and various other stores.

The railway closed in 1968 and the town's station has subsequently been demolished, but some relics still remain, including the goods shed.

The circus' tranquilliser guns had accidentally been left behind in another town so they could not be shot with tranquillizer darts.

[9] Moves to establish the first Anglican Church in Lawrence were made in December 1866, but it was not until February 1868 that the first clergyman Rev.

[10] The first permanent vicar was the Reverend George P. Beaumont who had arrived in the district in 1870 and remained in that role for another 30 years.

[11] Its foundation stone was laid in March 1925 and it was consecrated in August of that same year by Bishop Isaac Richards, a previous vicar of the parish.

[14] In Lawrence itself a Methodist church was constructed of brick on Colonsay Street and opened free of debt in 1865.

[14] The first Presbyterian services were held in the district in open air at Gabriel's Gully in July 1861 by layman John Gillies.

[15] By 1864 with the support of local congregation and the organisation of a soiree, enough money (including a donation of £50 from Gabriel Read) was raised to allow for the erection of a wooden church building at 7 Colonsay Street.

Over time the brick exterior was plastered, the spire and pinnacles were removed and a shorter belfry created.

[10] Due to a declining congregation the church was sold around 1994 to a private owner who intended to use it as a holiday home.

[15] While Otago was established as a Presbyterian settlement the discovery of gold, resulted in miners of all nationalities and creeds emigrating to the province, among them a large number of Irish Catholics.

[3] To service their spiritual need, Father Delphin Moreau began visiting the goldfields from Dunedin, from the first weeks of the gold rush.

[10] Up until Cobb & Co’s established their coach service to the goldfields in October 1861 Moreau’s made his visits to Tuapeka on foot, holding Mass there once a month.

In October 1863 a section on the corner of Colonsay and Lancaster Streets house a church and school was donated by local businessman John Donovan.

A corrugated iron church named St Gabriel’s was erected on the site and blessed in November 1864 by Bishop Viard.

A building fund for a new church was initiated in 1880 and noted architect, Francis Petre, was selected to design the church, issuing tenders for its construction in November 1890 on the site of the former St Gabriels on the corner of 12 Colonsay Street and Lancaster Street.

The contract was awarded on 7 December 1890 to Dunedin based Daniel W. Woods, who had submitted a price of £3000.

[3] By the time the foundation stone was laid by Bishop Patrick Moran on 17 March 1891 the walls were at almost at their full height.

The completed brick Gothic church with a belfry of Oamaru stone with seating for about 600 worshippers was officially opened by Bishop Moran on 6 January 1892.

[3] A convent for the Dominican nuns, was later constructed directly to the south of the Church and opened on Sunday 3 February 1893.