Annual Citizens Carol Service 2025

Tuesday 2 December, 2025, 6.30 pm - 7.30pm.

The Friends held their Annual Citizens Carol Service, on Tuesday, 2nd December 2025.

The Friends of Old St Pauls were delighted to welcome a full church for a truly magical Citizens Carol Service on 2 December 2025. The church was looking fabulous, the magnificent Christmas tree and decorations lighting up the dark timbered interior.

It really felt like Christmas as the bells rang out across Thorndon, Ringing Master Dylan Thomas and the Wellington Combined Society of Bellringers welcoming people into the building with a wonderful 30 minutes of peals.

Our warmest thanks to Archbishop Paul Martin SM, and an outstanding performance from all the musicians: Wellington Chamber Choir Nota Bene with conductor Shaun Condon; Hutt City Brass with director Matthew Stein; the Three Kings - Patrick Coelho, Fr Ben d’Souza and William McElwee; and Organist David Trott, the Friend’s Musical Director, who masterminded a wonderful service.

Thank you also to our excellent Readers - City Missioner Revd Murray Edridge, HE Iona Thomas OBE British High Commissioner, David Gehrenbeck Charge d’affaires US Embassy, and the Mayor of Wellington, His Worship the Hon. Andrew Little. Our warmest thanks to the Harbour City, Guardian, and Wilson Funeral Homes, who generously designed and printed the gorgeous souvenir service sheets. Many thanks also to the US Embassy for the terrific photos. To all who came, a huge thank you for your wonderful support and your generous donations of pantry goods for the Wellington City Mission’s Social Supermarket.