The Octagon, Christchurch

The Octagon
The Octagon in 2007
Restaurant information
Established	1993
Closed	4 September 2010 (2010-09-04)
Street address	124 Worcester Street, Christchurch Central City
City	Christchurch
Country	New Zealand
Coordinates	43°31′52″S 172°38′22″E / 43.53114°S 172.63942°E / -43.53114; 172.63942
Website	www.octagonlive.co.nz

The Octagon, Christchurch, the former Trinity Church or Trinity Congregational Church designed by Benjamin Mountfort, later called the State Trinity Centre, is a Category I heritage building listed with the New Zealand Historic Places Trust. Damaged in the 2010 Canterbury earthquake and red-stickered after the February 2011 Christchurch earthquake, the building was threatened with demolition like most other central city heritage buildings. In June 2012, it was announced that the building will be saved, repaired and earthquake strengthened.

The Octagon is located on the south-west corner of Worcester and Manchester Streets. The three buildings on the south side of the section of Worcester Street leading into Cathedral Square are all registered heritage buildings and together, they form an important setting. The neighbouring buildings are the State Insurance Building, an art deco office tower designed by Cecil Wood and registered as Category II, and the Old Government Building designed by Joseph Clarkson Maddison and registered as Category I.

The Congregational church was brought to New Zealand by Barzillai Quaife. Congregationalists had their first meeting in Christchurch in 1861. Meetings were held at Bonnington's Hall until July 1864, when that property changed hands and was no longer available. A society was formed, four members raised funds (Samuel Farr, Mr Gee, James Jameson and Mr Lewis) and members bought the property on the south-west corner of the Manchester and Worcester Streets intersection for a church. Farr was chosen as the architect for the original church and the affairs were progressed by the first minister, William Habens. The original church, built in stone, was opened with a series of opening services starting on 23 November 1864.