Knox Church

The Rev Donald M Stuart

Dr Stuart worked to establish Otago Boys High School, which opened in 1863. He also supported the campaign to establish a Girls’ High School, opened in 1871. Dr Stuart was the first chairman of the High Schools Board of Governors, from 1878 (when it was formed) until his death. He was also the chairman of the Synod’s Church Extension Committee from its foundation in 1866, with the job of finding ministers for the parishes of Otago and Southland. He was very enthusiastic about establishing a university in 1869 and a Theological Hall in 1876, and was also a pioneer of technical education in Dunedin. Dr Stuart was much loves as a minister, and as ‘Our Grand Old Chancellor’ at the Otago University. After he died on May 12th 1894, the shops were closed, 6000 people walked in his funeral procession and thousands more watched it pass.

Dr Stuart is represented in the Stuart Memorial Window (located at the rear of the church) and in a bust on the church grounds.

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