In the centre of Dunedin city, on the circle road that goes around behind the Octagon is the First Church of Otago on Moray Place.  This is right next to the building I’m working in, so I decided on a recent nice day to call in at lunch time and have a look.

The church has been here since 1848 and is a beautiful building.  The day I went was bright and sunny so the stained windows were particularly colourful with the low winter sun shining through.  There is stained glass window dedicated to those fallen in World War 1 from the Otago region.

Entry is free and a donation box is available to assist to cover the soaring insurance premiums now affecting older, stone buildings due to the recent Canterbury earthquakes.

I’m not sure about opening hours but presumably as its an active church, they hold regular services.  During the week it appears its open for a few hours around lunchtime.

On nice days there are park benches in the gardens which are a popular place for office workers to sit and enjoy their lunch.

At the back of the church is a small historical display, I ran out of time but maybe might get a chance to pop back and have a look another day.