Who we are and where we’ve come from.... Our Story

Leith Valley began as part of an inner city church called St Stephens based in what is now part of the campus of the University of Otago. The Valley was settled very early because of the valuable fertile soil and so some work had been done to service the area by a variety of churches since the mid 1800’s.

In the 1970’s a bequest left a property to the church on which was later built a simple concrete block building from which to base a more permanent work.

This grew gradually into a thriving community whose sole aim is to encourage and care for people using the resources of faith.

What it means to be Presbyterian

Since their earliest beginnings in 16th century Europe and Scotland, Presbyterian churches have been committed to a number of basic values, which include: faith in Jesus Christ (both personal and corporate); a democratic approach to the structure and governance of the church; involvement in society; a freedom of belief and understanding; and the value of education.