NZ Visual Diary - entry 238
Auckland Sunday School Union
The Auckland Sunday School Union building (323 Queen Street) is home to the New Zealand Sunday School Union.
From an architectural perspective, there are two elements of the building’s street presentation that I find particularly appealing: the metal inlays (perpendicular and curvilinear bar tracery) in each of the building’s 14 windows within the upper two floors and the exquisite cross-hatching brick work within the middle floor.
The New Zealand Sunday School Union dates back to 1865 and declares that, in the intervening 158 years, it has remained faithful to its stated mission:
Since 1865 we have endeavoured to promote a spirit of unity amongst our affiliated church members providing them with high quality scripture lessons, examinations and educational resources suitable for children from as young as five years of age through to adulthood. The union has undergone many changes in its 144 history, however if has remained steadfast in maintaining its scholastic approach to the Christian education and bible study for youth. We firmly believe this approach will continue to have a strong place within Christian youth education and ministry.1
One example of the Union’s exhibition programmes dates to 1890, the year of the Sixth Industrial Exhibition.
An entry in the catalog of the National Library of New Zealand describes one 1890 exhibition certificate as follows:
Certificate for the making of a needlecase shows ornate lettering, some in gilt. At the top is an open Bible topped by words in a banner "Love one another". The Bible rests on manuka sprigs. A spray of clematis is at the right. The monogram of the Auckland Sunday School Union appears in an oval shape at the left, above a cluster of palms and ferns and a golden putto. At the lower edge, a group of children are engaged in painting, toy yacht making, knitting, woodwork and other crafts.Behind them is a view of Auckland Harbour, North Head and Rangitoto beyond.
The signatories to the certificate include Fred Battley (president) and hon. secretaries W H Lyon, J R Hanna and T F Hill.2
https://www.schoolandcollegelistings.com/NZ/Auckland/1379085399020195/New-Zealand-Sunday-School-Union-Inc.
National Library of New Zealand <https://natlib.govt.nz/records/37951097>