The Architect of SMK

Edmund R. Wilson studied architecture in Wellington, and returned to his home town of Invercargill in the far south of New Zealand.

As city architect for Invercargill he designed many civic buildings including the town hall, the council chambers, the fire station, and the municipal baths. He designed the Kew hospital, and supervised its construction.

He is more widely known for his designs of churches. While Southland has a number of his country churches, best known are the parish churches of S John in Invercargill, S Mary in Merivale (Christchurch), and S Andrew in Southbridge (Mid-Canterbury), buildings of more substance than style or character.

Wilson was president for some years of the New Zealand Institute of Achitects. He died aged 70 in 1941.

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