Reverend James R. Young, Vicar of the parish between 1923 and 1928, suggested a building of riverstone, and a site was donated by Peter and Alec Graham,[1] notable climbing guides and operators of the Franz Josef Glacier Hotel.

Archdeacon Julius visited Westland in February 1927, and afterwards suggested a wooden church with views of the Waiho River and Franz Josef Glacier.

[2] The site was cleared for building in March 1930, tenders were called in November of that year, and a contract for the construction was awarded to Bullock and Stewart in 1931.

[2][1] The dedication ceremony was held on 26 April 1931 by Bishop West-Watson of Christchurch, assisted by Reverends James R. Young (then of Hāwera) and Alwyn Warren, vicar of Ross and South Westland, in front of a congregation of 150.

[7] The church achieved national recognition when the view across the altar to the mountains was featured on a 9d Peace stamp entitled A Spirit of Thankfulness, issued in 1946 to commemorate the end of World War Two.