The land on which St. Chad's stands in Omata Road was purchased from Mr. E. Marfell in 1922. One acre and 35.9 perches was transferred to the St. Mary's Parochial Trust Board for £200.

The foundation stone was laid by Bishop Cherrington on 4 December, 1933. The firm Griffiths and Stephenson submitted plans for the church, with W.N. Stephenson actually responsible for the final design. The cost of the building was £855 and the furnishings £160. It was built by the firm Lovell and Rawlinson.

The church was consecrated by the Bishop of Waikato, the Rev. C.A. Cherrington on 3 February 1935.

The adjacent hall was built and dedicated in 1963 at a cost of £4,406. 

The first extension to the church (south side) took place in 1969-70. A second extension to the north and east took place in 1978. Another major alteration, returning the church to the original roofline was completed in 1992.

Further reading: St. Chad's 90th Jubilee : a short history of St Chad's in west New Plymouth, December 10th, 1933-1923 (TRCVF283 SAI)

Related documents:

St Chad's Church Extended (Daily News 28 September 1970)

Renovating St Chad's (Taranaki Herald 4 December 1971)

New look for church (North Taranaki Weekender 24 February 1991)

The Anglican Parish of West New Plymouth: St Chad's and St John the Evangelist 75th Jubilee 1933 - 2008 (Taranaki Research Centre Information Files)

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