Where It All Began

Until the 1890s, when Government welfare legislation was passed, churches provided the broadest spread of charity work.  “Poverty because of sickness, old age, orphanhood, widowhood or other misfortune, was in an entirely inadequate way relieved by religious charities, benevolent societies, soup kitchens and rations paid for both by private charities and provincial grant,” wrote WB Sutch in 1966.

In 1859, Anglican priest The Revd J F Lloyd opened an orphanage in Auckland.  In Christchurch, the Revd W B Stanford, Frances Torlesse, and others formed the Church of England Social Purity Society (later named the St Saviour’s Guild).  It ran St Mary’s Home for Girls, a Samaritan Home “for helpless and homeless people, convalescents from hospital and prisoners just out of jail”.   Female refugees (homes for reforming prostitutes rather than sheltering battered women) were established on an interdenominational basis from the mid – the 1860s. They were one of the growth areas of voluntary work later in the 19th century.

In the early years of the 20th century, as the towns grew, City Missions were established in central cities and offered a range of services.  Missions to Seamen were set up in ports to serve the many coastal shipping workers.  Orphanages and children’s homes were set up, and Girls’ Friendly Societies spread around the country.

During the Great Depression of the 1930s, Anglican social services were stretched to previously unforeseen limits.  During seven months in 1932, the Auckland City Mission provided 37,000 free beds and 102,080 free meals.  In one year the Mission’s doctor had 8200 consultations.

In Wellington, the influx of itinerant men seeking work meant the Mission had to open a new night shelter with 150 beds.  Such was the demand for food as meals and parcels that the Mission needed 40 sheep, one bullock, seven sacks of potatoes, 520 loaves of bread, 40 pounds of rice, and 50 pounds of oatmeal in a week.  Ten thousand people were asked to each give half-a-crown a week to meet the Mission’s outgoings.

By the mid – the 1930s, the need was still great and churches were starting to ask questions about the wider issues.  The 1935 Wellington Synod said that the Church could not rest content with the performance of works of mercy. “It must use every effort to transform the social order so as to bring it nearer the mind of Christ.” (Butt, 1993)

During the 1970s, the emphasis on professional social work grew.  Services and residential care for older people expanded, and family therapy became a specialist area.  The whole voluntary sector expanded, as Government policy and funding supported initiatives in areas of need.  The church responded by developing a wide range of agencies.  More recent developments have reduced Government support for buildings and have emphasised services and contracts; in many places the Church has begun to base programmes and projects in and alongside parishes.