Although services had been held in the Pass since the time of its settlement, the first positive steps towards the building of the chapel took place following the celebration of Holy communion by the Rev L. K. Collins, then the church of England Vicar at Kumara, and Mr H. W. R. Hamilton of Mt Thomas who was staying at the Pass over Easter of 1951.
Mr R. W. Cleland, the Ranger at the Pass, had discussions with Mr M. J. P. Glasgow a prominent mountaineer and as a result of these discussions a public meeting attended by representatives of the churches, the alpine clubs and other people interested in the Pass, was called in Christchurch in October 1953.
This meeting endorsed the building of the chapel and set up a committee consisting of representatives of the Anglican, Baptist, Methodist and Presbyterian churches, seven alpine and ski clubs connected with the area and several other interested persons. Mr R. D. Dick was the chairman and Mr M. J. P. Glasgow the Secretary/Treasurer.
The committee decided to proceed as quickly as possible on a site then leased in perpetuity from the crown (since that time the site has been freeholded) and one of the first tasks was to approach Mr Paul Pascoe to act as honorary Architect for the Chapel. (The painting on the North wall was erected in memory of Mr Pascoe). Plans were drawn, sketches prepared and models built and while this continued the committee launched a campaign on the site on Easter Monday of 1954 to raise the four thousand pounds estimated cost at which the assembly dedicated itself to the task of building the Chapel to the Glory of God.
A working bee at Labour Weekend (October) 1954 built the retaining wall along Avalanche Creek and cleared the site, and during the summer several work parties excavated the site and stockpiled quantities of sand and shingle. In January 1955 a street collection was held in Christchurch to raise funds for the project and in March tenders for the constmction of the chapel were called. The Foundation stone was laid at a service conducted by Canon H. M. Cocks and attended by about 500 people, with music supplied by the Salvation Army Band on Easter Monday 1955.
The project then entered its final year, funds included five hundred pounds from each of the participating churches, six hundred pounds from the street collection, one thousand pounds collected by the Committee's Canvasser the Rev W. H. Norton, who worked during the Winter of 1955 mainly in the Christchurch area, and substantial sums from the Alpine Clubs, various congregations and many personal donations large and small.
In the spring of 1955 the contractors (Stan Muirson Ltd) proceeded to build the chapel and completed their part early in 1956. Although not now visible, the strength of the building is in the very strong reinforced concrete core and floor designed by the Chapel's honorary consulting engineer Mr I. L. Holmes. The roof is of slate imported from Wales, the roof principals and purlins and the posts in the porch are of imported Oregon while the rafters and the panelling at both ends are of Rimu. The porch seats are of Malayan keruing. The Bell tower was built in Christchurch by Mr D. G. Stevens using an old fire bell he obtained and renovated, and timber donated by Christchurch firms including the Sydney Blue Gum (eucalyptus saligna) uprights. He also built the Lantern above the entry which is a copy (double size) of a lantern from one of the first four ships to arrive for the planned Canterbury Settlement. Mr R. E. Dodge built the external veneer wall using boulders selected from the Bealey River bed and brought to the site by volunteers, and also laid the Halswell stone floor of the porch. Mr J. Kitson, the chapel's honorary electrician wired the chapel with underground wiring and Mr R. Cleland, with the help of several working parties, cleared and levelled the site, built the wall enclosing the rock garden at the west end and planted the native shrubs and plants.
While this was going on the furnishings were taking shape in Christchurch to the Architect's designs, mainly from Rimu. The Lord's Table was donated by the Canterbury Commercial Travellers and Warehousemen '5 Association in memory of their members who have crossed the Pass, and on the Table the Cross and Candlestick set was made in the Third New Zealand General Hospital, Ban, Italy in 1944 during the Second World War, and brought back to New Zealand by the Rev F. O. B. Lane, the last chaplain there. It was donated by his widow. The lectern and communion rail are the gift of the family of the late Samuel Edgar Russell who lost his life on Avalanche Peak in 1933, the original organ was a gift from Matla & Sons of Christchurch while the font, supported by three children's skis was donated by the Christchurch Ski Club (now Temple Basin Ski Club). The prayer desk was donated by Miss D. M. Willis. Many other Christchurch firms donated fittings and Mrs A. Berry made and donated sets of Lord's Table Linen, Miss Mary Weathered gave a set of communion vessels, the Totara collection plate was the gift of Mr C. E. Evenden of Kumara, and the other two collection plates are from St Anne's Church, Ings, Westmorland, UK, and were given by the Rev T. Cosbey Johnston of Sumner.
The work of the chapel committee culminated on Easter Monday the 2nd April 1956 when, in the presence of a congregation of about 1,500 the Arthur's Pass Chapel was dedicated to the Glory of God.
Today the Chapel is run by a committee consisting of the clergy of Malvern, a representative of the Alpine Sports Clubs, representatives of the residents of Arthur's Pass and of the bach owners, and a representative of the Church Property Trustees, who have overall responsibility for the upkeep and maintenance of the building.
