Frederick de Jersey Clere

Frederick de Jersey Clere (7 January 1856 – 13 August 1952) was a New Zealand ecclesiastical architect. Born in Walsden, Lancashire, Clere received his architectural training in Brighton and London, later immigrating to New Zealand. In New Zealand Clere was appointed architect to the Anglican Diocese of Wellington and designed over a hundred churches, with many of them still extant. Clere was an adopter and advocate of reinforced concrete with the majority of his works after 1910 adopting the material. Clere's most notable reinforced concrete design being St Mary of the Angels, Wellington. Multiple of Clere's designs — both ecclesiastical and domestic and commercial — have heritage protection.

Clere was a founding member and fellow of the New Zealand Institute of Architects.

Early life

Clere was born in Walsden, Lancashire on 7 January 1856. Clere's father, Henry, was an Anglican clergyman.[1] Frederick spent 6 years at St John's School in Clapton, London before articling to Edmund Scott at the age of 16. Scott was a Brighton architect who focused on ecclesiastical architecture. After 3 years, in 1875, Clere became assistant to ecclesiastical architect Robert Jewell Withers in London and joined the London Architectural Association.[1][2]

Architectural career

Clere and his family arrived in Wellington aboard the Hurunui on 12 December 1877.[1] Clere had difficulty acquiring work in Wellington so moved to the nascent settlement of Feilding in 1879. In Feilding there was ample work. Clere's most notable work in Feilding is the Church of St John the Evangelist. In 1882 Clere was made an associate of the Royal Institute of British Architects and a fellow in 1886.[2]

In 1883 Clere was appointed as architect for the Anglican Diocese of Wellington and moved to Whanganui. In Whanganui Clere was appointed as architect to the Wanganui Education Board and partnered with Alfred Atkins. In 1886 Clere moved to Wellington and two years later disestablished his partnership with Atkins.[a] Clere went on to form Clere, Fitzgerald & Richmond, this practice was active in the 1890s but after 1899 both Richmond and Clere had left. Clere formed a new partnership with his draughtsman John Swan but this had been dissolved by the time he moved to Lower Hutt in 1901.[2]

In 1905 Clere's son Herbert started training under his father. In 1910 Herbert moved to Palmerston North and established Clere & Son. Frederick focused on ecclesiastical designs whilst Herbert carried out commercial and domestic designs.[2]

Clere entered a partnership with Llewellyn Williams in 1919 but this had ended by 1923 over disagreements. After this Herbert returned from Palmerston North to work with his father in Wellington as Clere & Clere. Herbert continued to focus on domestic architecture whilst his father handled ecclesiastical contracts and on commercial properties the two would work together. Frederick became less active from 1935 but his son continued the practice of Clere & Clere until 1962.[2]

Clere was a founding member of the New Zealand Institute of Architects and held the position of secretary for 50 years. In 1939 Clere was made a fellow.[2]

As architect for the Anglican Wellington Diocese, Clere designed over 100 churches. Clere used the Gothic Revival style for his church designs with the most noteworthy being St John's, Feilding, All Saints Church, Palmerston North, St Mary of the Angels, Wellington, and St Andrew's Church, New Plymouth. The majority of the churches designed by Clere are extant.[1] For residential works Clere often used the Elizabethan style.[4]

Clere was one of the first New Zealand architects to widely adopt reinforced concrete. Clere used concrete for the majority of his churches after 1904. His most notable reinforced concrete building is the Church of St Mary of the Angels, Wellington.[1][5] Although Clere designed timber structures he criticised the use of timber by some architects for not being true to form.[6]

In 1935 Clere was awarded the King George V Silver Jubilee Medal.[1]

Politics

Clere served on the Wellington City Council until 1895 and later served on the Lower Hutt Borough Council.[5][1]

Personal life

Frederick de Jersey Clere married Mary Goodbehere in Feilding. Mary died in 1904 and 18 months later he married his housekeeper, Elizabeth Ingles. Elizabeth died in 1920.[2] Clere died 13 August 1952.[1]

Clere was an Anglican and was a lay member of the Wellington Diocesan Synod and General Synod from 1900.[5] Clere was also a Freemason and member of the Waiwhetu Lodge.[1]

Clere was an avid watercolour painter and had his work exhibited at the New Zealand Academy of Fine Arts on several occasions and a committee member of the academy. A painting by Clere is held by the Taranaki Museum.[4][2] Clere was a supporter of the Royal New Zealand Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.[2]

List of works

Name Date Image Note Ref
St James Church, Halcombe 1880 First church designed by Clere [7]
Church of St John the Evangelist, Feilding 1880 Registered as a category 1 building with Heritage New Zealand [8]
St Martin's Church, Greatford 1881 Registered as a category 2 building with Heritage New Zealand [9]
Overton 1884 Registered as a category 1 building with Heritage New Zealand. Designed by Atkins and Clere [10]
Wellington Harbour Board Wharf Office Building 1884 Third floor added in 1895. Registered as a category 1 building with Heritage New Zealand [11][12]
St George's Church, Patea 1885 Registered as a category 1 building with Heritage New Zealand [13]
St John's Church, Whanganui 1887 Scheduled as class C building with the Whanganui District Council. Designed by both Atkins and Clere. [14]
St Thomas' Church, Meeanee 1887 Registered as a category 2 building with Heritage New Zealand [15]
St Agnes' Church, Kiwitea 1890 Scheduled as a category B building with the Manawatu District Council [16][15]
Wellington Harbour Board Head Office and Bond Store 1892 Registered as a category 1 building with Heritage New Zealand [17]
Church of St John the Divine, Otakeho 1893 Registered as a category 2 building with Heritage New Zealand. No longer in situ but still extant [18]
Government Life Insurance building 1893 Demolished in 1932 [19][20]
Wellington Rowing Club Building 1894 Registered as a category 1 building with Heritage New Zealand [21]
St Andrew's Church, Manakau 1894 Registered as a category 2 building with Heritage New Zealand [22]
St Michael and All Angel's Church, Stanway 1895 Registered as a category 2 building with Heritage New Zealand [23]
St Alban's Church, Pauatahanui 1895 Registered as a category 2 building with Heritage New Zealand [24]
St Simon and St Jude's Church, Rongotea 1895 Registered as a category 2 building with Heritage New Zealand [25]
St Thomas' Church, Newtown 1895 Demolished [26]
St Barnabas Church, Opunake 1895 Scheduled in the Opunake Cultural Heritage Inventory [27]
St Andrew's Church, Colyton 1896 Scheduled as a category B building with the Manawatu District Council [16][28]
Puketiro 1896 Registered as a category 2 building with Heritage New Zealand [29]
Ronayne House 1896 [2]: 119 [30]
Highden c.1897 Registered as a category 1 building with Heritage New Zealand [31]
St Mary Magadalene Church, Ashhurst 1897 Registered as a category 2 building with Heritage New Zealand [32]
St Mary's Church, Levin 1897 Demolished c.1954 [33][34]
Church of St Saviour, Kimbolton 1898 Scheduled as a category B building with the Manawatu District Council [16]
Church of the Venerable Bede, Shannon 1898 Registered as a category 2 building with Heritage New Zealand [35]
The Suter Memorial Art Gallery 1899 Registered as a category 2 building with Heritage New Zealand [36]
Mahina 1900 [2]
Stoneham's Building or Kelburn Chambers 1901 Registered as a category 2 building with Heritage New Zealand [37]
Nelson School of Music 1901 Registered as a category 1 building with Heritage New Zealand [38]
Church of St John the Baptist, Ohau 1901 Registered as a category 2 building with Heritage New Zealand [39]
St Augustine's Church, Petone 1902 Registered as a category 2 building with Heritage New Zealand [40]
St Aidan's Church, Tokomaru 1902 [41]
St Barnabas' Church, Rangiwahia 1903 Registered as a category B building with the Manawatu District Council [42]
St Paul's Church, Cheltenham 1904 Registered as a category 2 building with Heritage New Zealand [16]
Avon House 1904 Registered as a category 3 building with the New Zealand Historic Places Trust but was demolished in 1987 [43]
St Andrew's Church, Whareama 1904 Burnt down [44]
Chinese Mission Hall 1906 Registered as a category 2 building with Heritage New Zealand [45]
St Peter's Church, Paekakariki 1908 [46]
Kelburn property 1908 [2]
Hill Haven 1909 Former residence of Michael Joseph Savage and Peter Fraser [47]
St Alban's Church, Eastbourne 1909 [48]
Brandon Street Chambers 1910 Scheduled with the Wellington City Council [49]
St Thomas' Church, Motueka 1910 Registered as a category 2 building with Heritage New Zealand [50][51]
Church of St Mary the Mother of Jesus, Beaconsfield 1911 Registered as a category 2 building with Heritage New Zealand [52]
St Mary's Church, Karori 1911 Registered as a category 2 building with Heritage New Zealand. Clere also designed the vicarage in 1906 and an expansion in 1917 [53]
All Saints' Church, Palmerston North 1913 Registered as a category 1 building with Heritage New Zealand [54]
St Matthew's Church, Hastings 1914 Registered as a category 1 building with Heritage New Zealand [55]
St Andrew's Church, Plimmerton 1916 [56]
St Mary of the Angels, Wellington 1919 Registered as a category 1 building with Heritage New Zealand [57][58]
St Matthias' Church, Makara 1921 Registered as a category 2 building with Heritage New Zealand [59]
St Barnabas Church, Khandallah 1921 Designed with Llewellyn Williams [60]
St John's Church, Johnsonville 1921 [61]
Inverleith Flats 1922 Registered as a category 2 building with Heritage New Zealand. Designed with Llewellyn Williams [62]
Our Lady Star of the Sea Convent Chapel 1922 Registered as a category 2 building with Heritage New Zealand [63]
Cathedral of the Holy Spirit, Palmerston North 1923 Registered as a category 1 building with Heritage New Zealand [64]
St Andrew's on the Terrace 1923 Registered as a category 1 building with Heritage New Zealand [65]
Convent of Mercy 1925 Demolished in 1982 [66]
St Brigid's Church, Feilding 1925 Demolished in 2009 [67]
AMP Society Building 1925 Registered as a category 1 building. Designed by Frederick and Herbert de Jersey Clere. [68]
All Saints Church, Hataitai 1928 Registered as a category 2 building with Heritage New Zealand [69]
All Saints Church, Otaki 1930 [70]
St Gerard's Monastery 1931 Registered as a category 1 building with Heritage New Zealand. Clere's former partner, John Swan, designed St Gerard's Church. [5]
St Andrew's Church, New Plymouth 1932 Registered as a category 2 building with Heritage New Zealand [71]

Notes

  1. ^ Although the partnership was disestablished the two remained on good terms. Clere nominated Atkins for fellowship to the RIBA and provided work opportunities to Atkins[3]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i Maclean, Susan. "Clere, Frederick de Jersey 1856–1952". Dictionary of New Zealand Biography. Ministry for Culture and Heritage. Retrieved 7 April 2011.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Mew, G.; Humphris, Adrian (October 2014). Raupo to Deco. pp. 73–74. ISBN 978-1-927242-56-8.
  3. ^ Pettigrew, Wendy; Southcombe, Mark (31 October 2007). "The End of the Wooden Shop: Wanganui Architecture in the 1890s". Architectural History Aotearoa. 4: 76–87. doi:10.26686/aha.v4i0.6747. ISSN 2703-6626.
  4. ^ a b Platts, Una (1980). Nineteenth Century New Zealand Artists. Avon Fine Print. p. 68.
  5. ^ a b c d O'Brien, Rebecca (5 October 2022). St Gerard's Monastery (Report). Heritage New Zealand.
  6. ^ Skinner, Robin (2009). "Understanding the Risk: Seismicity and Architectural Development in Nineteenth-Century New Zealand". Fabrications. 19 (1): 122–139. doi:10.1080/10331867.2009.10539648. ISSN 1033-1867.
  7. ^ "St. James Church (Halcombe, N.Z.)". National Library of New Zealand.
  8. ^ O'Brien, Rebecca (1 May 2003). St John the Evangelist Church (Anglican) (Report). Heritage New Zealand.
  9. ^ O'Brien, Rebecca (7 September 2004). St Martins Church (Report). Heritage New Zealand.
  10. ^ McCracken, Helen (4 September 2001). Overton (Report). Heritage New Zealand.
  11. ^ "1446". New Zealand Heritage List/Rārangi Kōrero. Heritage New Zealand.
  12. ^ O'Keefe, Mary (November 2012). Interisland, Glasgow & Kings Wharves, Wellington: Archaeological Monitoring of Maintenance Work (Report).
  13. ^ St George's Church (Anglican) (Report). Heritage New Zealand. 18 April 1989.
  14. ^ Bowman, Ian (2012). St John's Lutheran Church (PDF) (Report). Whanganui District Council.
  15. ^ a b "7502". New Zealand Heritage List/Rārangi Kōrero. Heritage New Zealand.
  16. ^ a b c d "Proposed Plan Change H(a) Historic Heritage – Wider Manawatū District Insert the following Schedule" (PDF). Manawatu District Council. 2023.
  17. ^ O'Brien, Rebecca (5 December 2002). Wellington Harbour Board Head Office and Bone Store (Report). Heritage New Zealand.
  18. ^ "7272". New Zealand Heritage List/Rārangi Kōrero. Heritage New Zealand.
  19. ^ "The former Government Life Insurance Building". Wellington Heritage.
  20. ^ "Government Life Insurance, Government Departments in Wellington". National Library of New Zealand.
  21. ^ Searle, Chloe (3 March 2009). Wellington Rowing Club Building (Report). Heritage New Zealand.
  22. ^ Bowden, Nicola (29 September 2016). St Andrew's Church (Anglican) (Report). Heritage New Zealand.
  23. ^ Bowman, Ian (2015). St Michael and All Angel's Church — 1601 Makino Road, Stanway (PDF) (Report). Manawatu District Council.
  24. ^ McCracken, Helen (22 November 2001). St Alban's Church (Anglican) (Report). Heritage New Zealand.
  25. ^ Astwood, Karen (30 November 2009). St Simon and St Jude Church (Anglican) (Report). Heritage New Zealand.
  26. ^ O'Brien, Rebecca (8 September 2004). St Margaret's Church (Report). Heritage New Zealand.
  27. ^ South Taranaki District Council (May 2000). St Barnabas's Anglican Church and Hall (PDF) (Report).
  28. ^ Lacy, Judith (16 February 2022). "Worship at St Andrew's Anglican Church in Colyton began 125 years ago". Manawatu Guardian. New Zealand Herald.
  29. ^ Morrell, Vivienne (1 October 2012). Puketiro (Report).
  30. ^ "House of Thomas Ronayne, Tinakori Road, Wellington". National Library of New Zealand.
  31. ^ Astwood, Karen; Dangerfield, A. (1 March 2010). Highden (Report). Heritage New Zealand.
  32. ^ Astwood, Karen (30 November 2009). St Mary Magdalene Church (Anglican) (Report). Heritage New Zealand.
  33. ^ Poulopoulos, Adam (24 July 2017). "St Mary's Anglican Church in Levin to close". Stuff.
  34. ^ McCarthy, Christine (31 October 2007). ""strident effects of instant sophistication": New Zealand architecture in the 1890s". Architectural History Aotearoa. 4: 1–5. doi:10.26686/aha.v4i.7303. ISSN 2703-6626.
  35. ^ Jacobs, James A. (12 January 2017). Venerable Bede Church (Anglican) (Report). Heritage New Zealand.
  36. ^ O'Brien, Rebecca (21 February 2007). The Suter Memorial Art Galley (Report). Heritage New Zealand.
  37. ^ "Kelburn Chambers". Wellington City Heritage.
  38. ^ O'Brien, Rebecca (28 February 2003). Nelson School of Music (Report). Heritage New Zealand.
  39. ^ Pollock, Kerryn; Chih-Hsuan Chen, Phillis (20 March 2019). Church of St John the Baptist (Anglican) (Report). Heritage New Zealand.
  40. ^ McCracken, Helen (4 February 2002). St Augustine's Church (Anglican) (Report). Heritage New Zealand.
  41. ^ Maclean, Susan (2002). Architect of the angels: the churches of Frederick de Jersey Clere. Wellington: Steele Roberts. ISBN 1-877228-68-0.
  42. ^ Bowman, Ian (2015). St Barnabas Church — 2501 Rangiwahia Road, Rangiwahia (PDF) (Report). Manawatu District Council.
  43. ^ "Avon House, Broadway". Manawatu Heritage.
  44. ^ Fuller, Piers (24 November 2021). "Historic 117-year-old Whareama church near Masterton burns to the ground". Dominion Post. Stuff.
  45. ^ Williamson, Miranda (31 March 2023). Chinese Mission Hall (Former) (Report). Heritage New Zealand.
  46. ^ "St. Peter's Church (Paekakariki)". National Library of New Zealand.
  47. ^ "Housing the Prime Minister". New Zealand History. 22 September 2014.
  48. ^ "Clere, Frederick de Jersey, 1856-1952 :Proposed church at Eastbourne. Scale 8 feet to 1 inch. 3[?].12.[19]09". National Library of New Zealand.
  49. ^ "Brandon Street Chambers (Former)". Wellington City Heritage.
  50. ^ "1672". New Zealand Heritage List/Rārangi Kōrero. Heritage New Zealand.
  51. ^ "St Thomas's Church Motueka". Tasman Libraries.
  52. ^ Bowman, Ian (2015). St Mary the Mother of Jesus – 466 Beaconsfield Valley Road, Beaconsfield (PDF) (Report). Manawatu District Council.
  53. ^ Morrell, Vivienne (19 November 2012). St Mary's Church (Anglican) (Report). Heritage New Zealand.
  54. ^ O'Brien, Rebecca (1 May 2003). All Saints' Church (Anglican) (Report). Heritage New Zealand.
  55. ^ McCracken, Helen; Kelly, Michael; Cochran, Chris (24 March 2008). St Matthew's Anglican Church (Report). Heritage New Zealand.
  56. ^ "Clere, Frederick de Jersey, 1856-1952 :[Plan of] proposed church at Plimmerton. 20.8.16". National Library of New Zealand.
  57. ^ "36". New Zealand Heritage List/Rārangi Kōrero. Heritage New Zealand.
  58. ^ Jones, Kevin (17 May 2016). Archaeological Monitoring of Seismic Strengthening Works for St Mary of the Angels (Archsite R27/524), Wellington, under Heritage New Zealand 2015/942 for the Catholic Archbishop of Wellington (Report).
  59. ^ Hamilton, Phillipa (8 March 2012). St Matthias' Church (Anglican) (Report). Heritage New Zealand.
  60. ^ Morrell, Vivienne (20 December 2011). Chevening Flats (Report). Heritage New Zealand.
  61. ^ "St John's Church". Wellington Heritage.
  62. ^ Morrell, Vivienne (19 November 2012). Inverleith Flats (Report). Heritage New Zealand.
  63. ^ Daisley, Simon (8 October 2011). Our Lady Star of the Sea Convent Chapel (Catholic) (Report). Heritage New Zealand.
  64. ^ O'Brien, Rebecca (1 May 2003). Cathedral of the Holy Spirit (Catholic) (Report). Heritage New Zealand.
  65. ^ Chrystal, Rebecca; Pollock, Kerryn (16 December 2020). St Andrew's on the Terrace (Report). Heritage New Zealand.
  66. ^ "Convent of Mercy, Fitchett Street". Manawatu Heritage. Palmerston North City Council.
  67. ^ "Old St Brigids Catholic Church". Manawatu Heritage. Palmerston North City Council.
  68. ^ "209". New Zealand Heritage List/Rārangi Kōrero. Heritage New Zealand.
  69. ^ Westphal, Laura (26 July 2022). All Saints Church (Anglican and Methodist) (Report). Heritage New Zealand.
  70. ^ "All Saints' Church (Otaki, N.Z.)". National Library of New Zealand.
  71. ^ Watson, Mike (28 April 2021). "New Plymouth's St Andrew's Church earthquake proofed for future worship". Taranaki Daily News.

Further reading

  • Maclean, Susan (2002). Architect of the angels: the churches of Frederick de Jersey Clere. Wellington: Steele Roberts. ISBN 1-877228-68-0.
  • Hints on building wooden churches by Frederick de J. Clere (1886, Ffrost & Manley, Wellington), a 16-page pamphlet
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