Some institutions become so embedded in a city’s life that it becomes difficult to imagine the city without them. St Andrews Presbyterian Church in Hamilton East is one of those institutions. Founded in 1857, it is one of Hamilton’s oldest continuously operating faith communities – predating many of the city’s most recognisable landmarks and having been present through every chapter of Hamilton’s growth from a small river settlement to the Waikato’s largest city.
Located at 4 Te Aroha Street, Hamilton East 3216 – on the corner of River Road and Te Aroha Street – St Andrews sits in one of Hamilton’s most established and characterful neighbourhoods, close to the Waikato River and within the broader Hamilton East community that has always been one of the city’s most culturally diverse areas. The church’s mission, stated consistently across its history, is simple: “To worship and work with God in the world.”
What makes St Andrews particularly distinctive in 2025 is the way it has evolved from a historically Scots Presbyterian congregation into a genuinely multicultural community that conducts services in both English and Korean, with a dedicated multicultural youth ministry alongside its English-language congregation. It is, in that sense, both one of Hamilton’s oldest institutions and one of its most contemporary in how it reflects the city’s actual demographic reality.
Leadership and Ministry Team
St Andrews is led by a ministry team that reflects its multicultural identity:
Rev Kelly Gilson (also listed as Rev Kelly Weaver Gilson) is the Minister of the congregation and the primary leader of the English-language services. Rev Gilson leads the Sunday 9:30am service and provides pastoral care across the full congregation.
Rev Ham Tae Ju is the Korean Language Minister, leading the Korean-language Sunday service at 11:30am and the Wednesday evening Korean language service at 7:30pm. His presence reflects the significant Korean community that has built its faith home within St Andrews over recent decades.
Rev Yo Han Oh is the Multicultural Youth Minister, focused on the young people within the congregation across cultural backgrounds. He can be reached on 020 444 4161 or at [email protected].
The Church Office is managed by Secretary Jacky Overdevest, reachable at [email protected], and by Acting Parish Clerk Alison Ringer.
Service Times and Languages
St Andrews runs services in two languages across different times to serve its multicultural congregation:
The English-language Sunday service at 9:30am is the primary gathering for the broader congregation and includes children’s programming. After the 9:30am service, morning tea provides an informal opportunity for the community to connect.
The Korean-language services at 11:30am on Sundays and 7:30pm on Wednesdays reflect the significant Korean Presbyterian community that has become an integral part of St Andrews’ identity. The Korean congregation has its own dedicated minister in Rev Ham Tae Ju and functions as a full ministry within the wider St Andrews community.
The History: 165 Years of Faith in Hamilton
St Andrews Presbyterian Church was founded in 1857 – a date that places it among the very earliest European institutions in Hamilton. The original congregation was, as the name suggests, rooted in the Scottish Presbyterian tradition that shaped much of early New Zealand’s Protestant Christianity.
Over 165 years, the congregation has navigated every era of Hamilton’s growth: the colonial period, the two World Wars, the post-war suburban expansion, and the increasingly multicultural character of 21st-century New Zealand. The building has been renovated and expanded multiple times to serve different eras of the community.
The most significant recent development was the 2010 opening of The Link – a community centre built at a cost of $1.9 million, completed debt-free. The Link opened after more than 53 years of fundraising by the congregation and represents one of the most sustained community investment projects in Hamilton’s religious history. The centre serves both the church and the wider Hamilton East community, providing meeting and event spaces that are available to community organisations beyond the church itself.
The Link Community Centre
The Link Community Centre on the St Andrews site at 4 Te Aroha Street is a significant asset for the Hamilton East community beyond its role within the church. The centre provides bookable spaces for community events, meetings, and activities, managed separately from the church itself.
For bookings and information about using The Link, contact the centre directly at 07 855 3190 or visit The Link’s website. The centre is specifically noted as open to the wider community – not exclusively for church-related activities.
Pastoral Care and Practical Support
The church office at St Andrews is open Monday to Friday from 9:00am to 3:30pm, which means practical pastoral and administrative support is available during weekday hours. The office handles funerals, weddings, baptisms, and other significant life events, as well as general parish administration.
For funerals in particular, the church has pastoral care structures in place including arrangements for periods when the office is closed for public holidays. Contact Rev Kelly Gilson directly on her mobile at 022 427 5123 for urgent pastoral needs.
St Andrews in the Hamilton East Community
The neighbourhood context of St Andrews matters. Hamilton East is one of Hamilton’s most established and diverse suburbs, home to the Hamilton East Village Market, a range of independently owned cafes and restaurants on Grey Street, and the broader Waikato River corridor that makes the eastern edge of Hamilton one of the most pleasant areas of the city to live in or visit.
The church sits within walking distance of the Waikato River and the riverside walking tracks that connect Hamilton East to the rest of the city. The Hamilton City River Ride and Walks trail is accessible within a few minutes walk of the St Andrews site.
For those exploring Hamilton East’s broader appeal, our Hamilton East Village Market guide covers the fortnightly market held nearby, and our Thai Orchid Restaurant guide covers one of Hamilton East’s best dining options on Grey Street.
Contact Details and Location
- Address: 4 Te Aroha Street, Hamilton East 3216 (corner of River Road and Te Aroha Street)
- Church Office Phone: 07 854 9737
- Church Office Email: [email protected]
- Office Hours: Monday to Friday, 9:00am – 3:30pm
- Minister: Rev Kelly Gilson – mob 022 427 5123, email [email protected]
- Korean Language Minister: Rev Ham Tae Ju – 07 855 0020, [email protected]
- Multicultural Youth Minister: Rev Yo Han Oh – 020 444 4161, [email protected]
- The Link Community Centre: 07 855 3190
- Website: standrewshamilton.org.nz
FAQs About St Andrews Presbyterian Church Hamilton
Where is St Andrews Presbyterian Church in Hamilton?
St Andrews Presbyterian Church is at 4 Te Aroha Street, Hamilton East 3216 – on the corner of River Road and Te Aroha Street, in Hamilton East.
What time are St Andrews Sunday services?
English-language service at 9:30am Sunday. Korean-language service at 11:30am Sunday. Korean-language Wednesday evening service at 7:30pm.
How old is St Andrews Presbyterian Church Hamilton?
St Andrews was founded in 1857, making it one of Hamilton’s oldest continuously operating faith communities with over 165 years of history in the city.
Who is the minister at St Andrews Hamilton?
Rev Kelly Gilson (also listed as Rev Kelly Weaver Gilson) leads the English-language congregation. Rev Ham Tae Ju is the Korean Language Minister. Rev Yo Han Oh is the Multicultural Youth Minister.
What is The Link Community Centre at St Andrews?
The Link is a community centre built on the St Andrews site, opened in 2010 at a cost of $1.9 million (completed debt-free). It is available for community bookings beyond church use. Contact 07 855 3190 for bookings.
Is St Andrews Presbyterian Church Hamilton multicultural?
Yes. The congregation includes a significant Korean-speaking community with dedicated Korean-language services on Sundays and Wednesdays, and a multicultural youth ministry led by Rev Yo Han Oh. The church has both an English-language and a Korean-language minister.
How do I contact the St Andrews church office?
The office is open Monday to Friday 9:00am to 3:30pm. Phone 07 854 9737 or email [email protected]. For urgent pastoral needs, contact Rev Kelly Gilson directly on 022 427 5123.
