History
Mt Magdala to become a reserve.
The Aidanfield subdivision comprises the former land of the Good Shepherd Sisters. The establishment of the Good Shepherd Convent at Mount Magdala, Christchurch, dates from the early 1880s. It was established to provide residential care for marginalised women and girls.
Mt Magdala was officially opened on 22 July 1888. At its peak in the 1930s Mt Magdala was a self-contained community housing almost 500 people. Many new buildings were added over the years: a substantial chapel in 1912, a new orphanage in 1934 and numerous extensions and additions to the main buildings including a villa for elderly residents. With a farm and orchard the community was largely self-sufficient, and many residents were employed in laundry, sewing and cooking activities.
Changing social patterns and needs, and the difficulties of maintaining a large institution with a diminishing group
of Sisters, led the Good Shepherd Sisters to retire from Mt Magdala in 1967 after more than 80 years’ service in christchurch. The St John of God Brothers took over many of the buildings on the site at this time and established
a school for boys in one section. The Brothers also converted the Convent into a hospital.
Today at Aidanfield, the historic Mt Magdala Cemetery and the St John of God Church are two remaining connections
with the work of the Good Shepherd Sisters. Landscaping of the Mt Magdala historic cemetery site has now been completed and has been complemented by commemorative signage. It is anticipated the site will be formally vested with Christchurch City Council as a council reserve that acknowledges the historic nature of the site.
This pdf provides more information about Mount Magdala.