College House (University of Canterbury) - History

History

College House was founded as the Upper Department of Christ's College and has evolved into an independent Hall of Residence at the University of Canterbury. Upon the establishment of Canterbury College (now the University of Canterbury) College House began to separate from Christ's College. In 1877 the students moved into a house of their own on the east frontage of the Christs College quadrangle. The Reverend F.A. Hare was appointed as the Hulsean-Chichele Professor, Chaplain of Christ's College and Supervisor of the Upper Department. The house became known as Chichele. Canon Stanford was appointed as the first full time principal in 1882 and in 1885 the upper department moved to new premises on the corner of Rolleston Avenue and Cashel Street. College House achieved full separation from Christ's College in 1957. At this time the college was renamed Christchurch College. This name was used until 1981 when the college reverted to using the name College House.

For many years College House was run as a teaching institution of the Anglican Church in Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia. This function was shared with St John's College in Auckland and Selwyn College in Dunedin. Over time the tertiary education and theological aspects of the College drifted apart and theology is now taught by Theology House in Merivale, with the library and chapel being the main physical reminders of the former union.

While the current College House has a chaplain and falls under the jurisdiction of the Anglican Diocese of Christchurch, there is no religious requirement for entry.

When the University of Canterbury moved from the old site in town to the new site at Ilam, College House was still a male-only institution and was built on the opposite side of small stream from Bishop Julius Hall, the female-only parallel. Both have since become co-educational.

The buildings survived the 2010 and 2011 Canterbury Earthquakes with no significant damage.

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