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The First Vicar of St. Augustine's was the Rev William Pascoe and he called a meeting in June 1871 to consider a suitable site for the building of a church, Michael Studholme had already given 5 acres for church, school and vicarage in Augustine Street but the town's people said Pascoe "contended that this site was too far out of town", so it was decided to buy a half acre section from the "Government", that is the Canterbury Provincial Council, and the price paid was £25 but this amount was later refunded on representations being made that other sections for religious purposes had been given free. B.M. Mountfort was asked to design the church. Messrs Gaitt and Dickison were contracted to build the church the price was £349/14/0.
The foundation stone was laid on St. Augustine of Hippo's day, August 28th 1872, the first service was held on Christmas day 1872 and the church was consecrated on St. Augustine of Canterbury Day, May 4th, 1873.
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