iN MEMORY OF HECTOR
The Vision & Built with Love
St Oswald’s Memorial Church was built in 1927 by Charles and Jessie Murray in memory of their son, Charles Hector Heaton Murray — known as Hector — who died at the age of 19. Constructed from locally sourced stone by neighbouring farmers, the church was gifted to the Anglican Diocese and became a much-loved place of worship and community gathering.
A COMMUNITY CHURCH
Almost a century on the coast
For decades, St Oswald’s hosted Sunday services, weddings, baptisms and funerals for the families of the Marlborough coast — a small stone church that quietly held an entire community’s biggest moments.
Built
life
Earthquake
Reopening
THE DAMAGE
2016 Kaikōura earthquake
In the early hours of 14 November 2016, a magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck the Kaikōura coast, and St Oswald’s did not escape unscathed. The stone walls shifted as much as 40mm out of alignment, stones fell from the bell tower, the memorial stone split apart, and the St Francis window and interior plasterwork cracked throughout. After almost ninety years of continuous use, the church closed its doors — its future uncertain.
REOPENED
A New Chapter
Following years of fundraising, planning and restoration, ownership passed to the newly formed St Oswald’s Memorial Trust. The church was carefully restored and reopened in February 2026 — continuing its original purpose as a place of remembrance, peace, celebration and community for generations to come. The Trust’s focus now turns to the next hundred years — keeping St Oswald’s open, cared for, and available to everyone who needs a place to gather, reflect or celebrate.
DIG DEEPER
Learn more
Explore the fuller story of St Oswald’s — from its original construction and stained glass to the restoration that brought it back to life, and the coverage that followed.