The church was conceived by Emily Bishop, whose two sons were among the fallen, and was intended as a non-denominational tribute to all soldiers, regardless of religious affiliation.

Funded entirely through community-led efforts, including fundraising events organized by local women, the church was officially opened on 18 May 1924, with New Zealand’s Governor-General, Lord Jellicoe, presiding over the ceremony.

[2] In January 1922, a significant meeting took place at Alec Bishop’s tea kiosk, marking an important step in the effort to establish a church in Titirangi.

In response, a small committee was formed to investigate construction costs, consisting of Nelson G. Hawkins, John MacFarlane, and Gus Bishop.

The contract for the concrete block construction was awarded to Kershaw Brothers, while Titirangi local Harry Jenkin oversaw the timber work and interior finishing.

[5] Construction benefited from local volunteer labour, however it soon became evident that the Trust did not have enough funds needed to cover the entire cost of building.

The opening ceremony, held on a Sunday afternoon, was attended by a large crowd, including returned soldiers, local residents, and dignitaries.

[7] The devotional service was conducted by Reverend H. R. Jecks, vicar of Avondale, and Lieutenant-Colonel Angus MacDonald, minister at the New Lynn Presbyterian Church.

[7] In his speech, Lord Jellicoe stated that there could be no better memorial than the church itself, where worshippers would always be reminded of the sacrifice of Christ as well as the young men of Titirangi who gave their lives in service of the Empire.

[7] He expressed Their Majesties’ deep sympathy on behalf of King George V and Queen Mary to all those in the community who had lost loved ones in the war.

[8] As a symbolic gesture, Nelson Hawkins, chairman of the church trustees, presented Lord Jellicoe with a silver key engraved with a New Zealand fern.

However, through continued community fundraising efforts, a black granite plaque designed by sculptor William Henry Feldon was unveiled by Governor-General Sir Charles Fergusson on 18 April 1926.

He emphasized the importance of honouring the sacrifices of the fallen, educating future generations about their service, and carrying forward the values of duty and self-sacrifice.

[10] The names inscribed on the plaque are: Rifleman Percy Thomas Armstrong served in the New Zealand Rifle Brigade, 3rd Battalion, B Company.

[13] Bishop entered Trentham Camp as a Corporal and was promoted to Sergeant in the New Zealand Rifle Brigade before departing for England with the 13th Reinforcements on 29 May 1916.

He attended King’s College, where he excelled in football and cricket, and later joined his family’s business, John Burns and Sons, Ltd., eventually becoming a director.

[15] Active in business and civic life, Burns was president of the Commercial Travellers’ and Warehousemen’s Association in 1915 and briefly served as Acting-Consul for Belgium in Auckland.

[15] Burns enlisted for war service 15 months before his death and served in a training capacity at military camps in New Zealand.

[17] A native of Birkenhead, Cheshire, England, Private Charles Noel Green immigrated to New Zealand 16 years before his death.

[18] Green joined the New Zealand Expeditionary Force, 13th Reinforcements, Auckland Infantry Battalion, A Company, and embarked from Wellington in late May 1916.

[20] A volunteer, Hughes enlisted in the New Zealand Expeditionary Force and embarked from Wellington on 13 November 1915 aboard the Willochra as part of the 8th Reinforcements, Auckland Infantry Battalion.

On 23 August 1917, Pitcher died of wounds sustained in battle and was laid to rest at Trois Arbres Cemetery in Steenwerck, France.

Eager to serve on the front lines, Rankin voluntarily resigned his rank while in Egypt and departed with the Main Body as a private.

[22] He arrived at Gallipoli on 26 April 1915 and on 6 August, during the Battle of Lone Pine, he demonstrated exceptional bravery when a telephone line was cut under enemy fire.

Rankin volunteered to lay a new wire under heavy and continuous fire, restoring communication and allowing the battery commander to regain control of artillery bombardment.

Serving with the 1st Battalion, Auckland Infantry Regiment, Private Rawlinson was wounded in action and succumbed to his injuries on 18 October 1917, at the age of 21.

After his arrival in 1902, Savage quickly earned a reputation as one of the most brilliant surgeons in New Zealand, specializing in consulting and operative work.

[29] Since its opening in 1924, the church had hosted nondenominational services, with the Anglican vicar leading worship one Sunday and the Presbyterian minister the next.

[30] In 1927, the Church saw the laying of a concrete block path and the construction of rustic style fencing, with native trees and ferns planted to enhance the grounds in 1931.

[1] The building was granted Waitakere Heritage status in 1996 and in 1999, the Church was further dedicated to those Titirangi service personnel who lost their lives in subsequent conflicts.