The Church of the Good Shepherd
The Church of the Good Shepherd things to do, attractions, restaurants, events info and trip planning
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Just keep staring at the magical beauty of New Zealand!😍 Share this with a friend who'd love to see this!😍 🎥: @bengoeseverywhere 📍Church of the Good Shepherd, Tekapo🇳🇿
tripscouttripscout
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The New Zealand sky at night is absolutely stunning!😍🌌✨ Mention someone who'd love to visit New Zealand!😍 🎥: @bengoeseverywhere 📍Church of the Good Shepherd, Tekapo🇳🇿
tripscouttripscout
6943
I recently had the pleasure of attending the Church of the Good Shepherd located in the picturesque South Island of New Zealand, and I was completely blown away by the experience. From the moment I stepped foot on the grounds, I felt a sense of warmth and welcoming energy that is truly unique to this church. The exterior of the church is stunning, nestled against the breathtaking backdrop of the Southern Alps and overlooking the serene turquoise waters of Lake Tekapo. The peacefulness and natural beauty of the surroundings are in perfect harmony with the sanctuary’s calming interior, with its tranquil color scheme and ethereal stained glass windows. The church has a long and rich history, having been built in 1935 to serve the needs of the growing sheep-farming community. It has since become a well-known tourist attraction and a beloved spot for weddings and other celebrations. Despite its fame, the Church of the Good Shepherd remains a humble and welcoming place of worship, open to all who seek a moment of peace and reflection. The congregation is warm and friendly, and the services are both meaningful and accessible. I appreciated the way prayers and hymns in the Maori language were also integrated into the service, honoring the indigenous culture of the land. Aside from its beautiful interior and meaningful services, the Church of the Good Shepherd also offers visitors an opportunity to learn about the church's history and importance to the surrounding community. There are informative plaques that guide you through the history of the church and its significance to the area. Overall, my experience at the Church of the Good Shepherd was truly unforgettable. It is a place of beauty, peace, and significance, and I cannot recommend it enough to anyone visiting or living in the South Island of New Zealand. Whether you seek a moment of reflection, spiritual guidance, or simply a beautiful and tranquil place to visit, this church is a must-see destination.
Gary MitchellGary Mitchell
10
The town of Tekapo, located in the Mackenzie Basin on New Zealand’s South Island, has a rich history dating back to its establishment as a sheep farming area in the late 1800s. Named after the Māori words "taka" (sleeping mat) and "po" (night), Tekapo has evolved into a popular tourist destination known for its stunning natural beauty, crystal-clear lake, and dark sky reserve perfect for stargazing. One of the town’s most iconic landmarks is the Church of the Good Shepherd, built in 1935 as a memorial to the pioneers of the Mackenzie region. This charming stone church, set against the backdrop of the turquoise waters of Lake Tekapo and the Southern Alps, offers a picturesque and serene setting that captivates visitors from around the world. The church’s atmosphere is one of tranquillity and reflection. The interior, though simple, is beautifully crafted, with large windows behind the altar framing breathtaking views of the lake and mountains. The sense of peace and serenity within the church is palpable, making it a popular spot for quiet contemplation and photography. Visiting the Church of the Good Shepherd is a truly memorable experience, providing not only a glimpse into the region’s history but also a moment of calm amidst the natural splendor of Tekapo. Highly recommended for anyone travelling through this beautiful part of New Zealand.
Ally KettleAlly Kettle
00
The iconic Church of the Good Shepherd locates on the shore of the breathtakingly blue waters of Lake Tekapo and framed by the Southern Alps. What it lacks in size it more than makes up for in appearance. The charming stone façade is the perfect piece of Mackenzie heritage to sit pride of place in any picture, adding perspective to the wide-open landscape. Built as a memorial to the pioneers of the Mackenzie region, the Church has been home to thousands of weddings and has seen more than its fair share of visitors to its grounds. The foundation stone was laid by HRH the Duke of Gloucester, on January 15 1935. The builders of the Church were instructed that the site was to be left undisturbed and that even the matagouri bushes surrounding the building were to remain. Every season the surrounding scenery changes and photographers are presented with new images to capture. Close by the Church of the Good Shepherd is a bronze sheepdog statue, a tribute to the hardy dogs “without the help of which the grazing of this mountain country would be impossible”. This well-recognised statue was commissioned by the residents of the Mackenzie region on 7 March 1968. * Some photos courtesy of Internet and Facebook. Thanks!
Dinh TuanDinh Tuan
30
The Church of the Good Shepherd is located on Lake Tekapo’s shores in the South Island of New Zealand with views of New Zealand’s highest mountain Aoraki Mt Cook. The Mackenzie Region is famous for its pristine night skies, a diverse range of stargazing experiences and for being leaders in dark sky preservation. The region boasts the southern hemisphere’s largest international dark sky reserve, meaning it has some of the purest night skies in the world. Light pollution is regulated, helping to ensure the dark skies are visible for all to enjoy. Visitors to New Zealand can stare directly into the centre of the Milky Way directly overhead during winter. Lucky Southern Hemisphere observers get to see something that many northerners never see: the Magellanic Clouds. The Large and Small Magellanic Clouds are satellite galaxies of the Milky Way. As some of the closest galaxies to our home galaxy, they stand out as big, misty blobs of light under dark skies. Scientists estimate the Small Magellanic Cloud contains around 3 billion stars, while the Large Magellanic Cloud houses some 30 billion stars.
W R EdwardsW R Edwards
00
Nearby Attractions Of The Church of the Good Shepherd
Peppers Bluewater Resort Lake Tekapo
Haka House Lake Tekapo
Lake Tekapo Village Motel
Tailor Made Tekapo Accommodation - Guesthouse & Hostel
Dolce Pizza
Mantra Lake Tekapo
Silver River Stargazing
Lake Tekapo / Takapo Reserve
Lake Tekapo Cottages
Lake Tekapo Scenic

Peppers Bluewater Resort Lake Tekapo
4.0
(1.1K)Click for details

Haka House Lake Tekapo
4.6
(309)Click for details

Lake Tekapo Village Motel
4.1
(298)Click for details

Tailor Made Tekapo Accommodation - Guesthouse & Hostel
4.5
(266)Click for details
Nearby Restaurants Of The Church of the Good Shepherd
The Greedy Cow Cafe
Kohan Restaurant
Mackenzies Cafe Bar & Grill
Ramen Tekapo
Blue Lake Eatery & Bar
Jack Rabbit
Doughboys Noodle Cafe
Dark Sky Diner
TLV Restaurant & Bar
Jade Palace Resteraunt

The Greedy Cow Cafe
4.6
(927)Click for details

Kohan Restaurant
4.3
(875)Click for details

Mackenzies Cafe Bar & Grill
4.1
(733)$$
Click for details

Ramen Tekapo
4.3
(414)Click for details
Basic Info
Address
Pioneer Drive, Lake Tekapo 7999, New Zealand
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Website
churchofthegoodshepherd.org.nz
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Overview
4.6
(2.5K reviews)
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attractions: Peppers Bluewater Resort Lake Tekapo, Haka House Lake Tekapo, Lake Tekapo Village Motel, Tailor Made Tekapo Accommodation - Guesthouse & Hostel, Dolce Pizza, Mantra Lake Tekapo, Silver River Stargazing, Lake Tekapo / Takapo Reserve, Lake Tekapo Cottages, Lake Tekapo Scenic, restaurants: The Greedy Cow Cafe, Kohan Restaurant, Mackenzies Cafe Bar & Grill, Ramen Tekapo, Blue Lake Eatery & Bar, Jack Rabbit, Doughboys Noodle Cafe, Dark Sky Diner, TLV Restaurant & Bar, Jade Palace Resteraunt

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