Church of the Good Shepherd

The Church of the Good Shepherd is a small chapel beside Lake Tekapo in New Zealand. The building was constructed from concrete faced with local stones and features a large window overlooking the lake, while the interior contains simple furnishings and receives natural light through small windows.

The church was built in 1935 to serve as a memorial to the area's first settlers. The foundation stone was laid by the Duke of Gloucester in January of that year, and later in August the Bishop of Christchurch officially dedicated the building, establishing it as an important site for the local community.

The church serves the local community and visitors as a place of worship and reflection. Its simple interior with a large window overlooking the lake invites people to pause and connect with both the spiritual space and the natural surroundings.

The church is freely accessible during daylight hours and features walking paths around the grounds to explore the surroundings. Access is straightforward as the building is open to visitors, and the surrounding hills and lake offer many spots to rest and enjoy the view.

The building was constructed using stones from the immediate surroundings and workers left the natural landscape undisturbed, creating a special connection to nature that many visitors notice. Couples frequently choose this quiet setting for weddings, making it one of New Zealand's most photographed buildings and a destination for those seeking a peaceful ceremony among mountains and water.