Nursing Education: 1923 to 2023 | A Century of Change
The Nurses' Memorial Chapel is part of nursing's heritage. The story of the Christchurch School of Nursing from 1923 to modern times will be on display.
The Nurses' Memorial Chapel, built in 1927, sits adjacent to the Botanic Gardens. Open days at the Chapel will provide an opportunity for the public to find out about the history of this magnificent Arts and Crafts building and learn about the history of nursing.
One hundred years ago the Christchurch School of Nursing appointed Mary Christmas as its first tutor sister in 1923. View displays of the School of Nursing ephemera, photographs and interesting items that will show how nurses learned in the past, alongside a display about modern nursing.
The displays will show how teaching and learning methods have changed to equip contemporary nurses in the 21st century. A timeline will show amazing developments over the century and connect the generations.
Memories of taking the patients to the chapel grafted the chapel into everyday hospital life for generations of nurses. This worthwhile career led to lifelong friendships. Class photo albums from 1900 to 1987 will be on display, with uniforms from a bygone era.
Among the 12 beautiful stained-glass windows are windows associated with this year's festival theme:
- The St Agatha window commemorates the life of Mary Christmas, its first tutor sister and Marquette survivor.
- The Christchurch School of Nursing window depicts a nurse kneeling in a daffodil field with the Southern Alps, the Canterbury Plains and the Norwest Arch as a background (image above).
The Nurses' Memorial Chapel, built in 1927, sits adjacent to the Botanic Gardens. Open days at the Chapel will provide an opportunity for the public to find out about the history of this magnificent Arts and Crafts building and learn about the history of nursing.
One hundred years ago the Christchurch School of Nursing appointed Mary Christmas as its first tutor sister in 1923. View displays of the School of Nursing ephemera, photographs and interesting items that will show how nurses learned in the past, alongside a display about modern nursing.
The displays will show how teaching and learning methods have changed to equip contemporary nurses in the 21st century. A timeline will show amazing developments over the century and connect the generations.
Memories of taking the patients to the chapel grafted the chapel into everyday hospital life for generations of nurses. This worthwhile career led to lifelong friendships. Class photo albums from 1900 to 1987 will be on display, with uniforms from a bygone era.
Among the 12 beautiful stained-glass windows are windows associated with this year's festival theme:
- The St Agatha window commemorates the life of Mary Christmas, its first tutor sister and Marquette survivor.
- The Christchurch School of Nursing window depicts a nurse kneeling in a daffodil field with the Southern Alps, the Canterbury Plains and the Norwest Arch as a background (image above).
Nurses' Memorial Chapel, 2 Riccarton Avenue, Christchurch Central
Event contact
Friends of the Nurses' Memorial ChapelOther events you may be interested in
Stay connected with the app
Download the What's On app and discover what's on in Ōtautahi Christchurch.
