Resene Total Colour Heritage Award Winner

Restoring the Sacred: The Church of the Holy Passion, Amberley

In 2019, the Studio of Saint Philomena was honoured to receive the Resene Total Colour Heritage Award for the restoration of the Catholic Church of the Holy Passion in Amberley, North Canterbury.

The restored interior of the Church of the Holy Passion, Amberley. Guided by Heritage England, the colour palette symbolises deep theological truths: green for the tree of life, blue for the living water flowing from Christ’s side, and red for His sacrificial blood.

The project, which spanned several years and four major phases, was a labour of love - an effort to restore a beloved historic church in time for its 150th anniversary. Originally commissioned by Sir Frederick Weld (New Zealand’s 6th Prime Minister), the church was built in England, flat-packed, and shipped to New Zealand. It was first assembled in Brackenbridge before being relocated to Amberley in the 1950s, pulled by two traction engines.

The restoration project began in 2016, with consultation from an English heritage specialist and acclaimed colour consultant Jo Gainsford. Referencing original drawings, images, and period-specific palettes, the team selected tones from the Resene colour range to faithfully reflect the church’s origins. The final colour choices brought warmth, richness, and life to the space.

“The colour palette has been ever so carefully researched and delightfully celebrates the building’s history,” said the award judges. “The colour focus captures your attention and holds it, a passionate use of colour.”

The award-winning team behind the restoration of the Church of the Holy Passion in Amberley (left to right): Rosanna Staub – interior designer and planner; Noel Walker – business accounts manager; Damien Walker – founder and director of the Studio of Saint Philomena; Kathy Light – business and financial advisor; Jo Gainsford – award-winning colour consultant.

A Four-Stage Restoration

1. The Crucifix: A new crucifix was cast, painted, and installed as the centrepiece of the sanctuary.

2. Interior Painting: The entire church interior was repainted using Resene’s carefully matched historical colours.

3. Statue Restoration: The church’s three original statues were delicately repainted in their traditional tones.

4. Gilding the Interior: The final stage involved gilding the interior arch and architectural detailing - over 1000 sheets of 23.5k Florentine gold were imported from Italy and hand-applied to complete the vision.

   
   

The project was completed just before Easter 2019, a fitting time to unveil a restored sacred space rich in history, reverence, and beauty.

“Because of the historic nature and age of the church, this is an absolute must-see when passing through Amberley.”

We invite you to view the image gallery below to experience the beauty and craftsmanship of this heritage restoration in full detail. From the intricate gold leafing to the rich symbolism in colour, each image tells part of the story.

Before the restoration

After the restoration

Artist Damien Walker

After the Restoration

Before the Restoration

Artist Damien Walker

The Process

To read more about this award-winning project, visit the official Resene article here.