In 2025 we launched a new residential community providing student accommodation. Caedmon is aimed at Massey Wellington (or other) students, either fresh or returning, under or post grad.
Life triangulates between:
-the community house (St Hilda’s Island Bay Vicarage),
-the church next door (St Hilda’s)
and Massey Wellington Chaplaincy.
We provide an environment that honours individual and communal life, a place that encourages creative projects and positions communal life alongside church life. The church next door is healthy, growing and has regular gigs and events, so we would love to share these communal opportunities.
The vicarage is a solid, dry, insulated 6bdm house. The bus stop is next to the church with regular buses into the city. The community gathers next door for morning prayer 8am on Friday and community worship 10am Sunday morning. We share most meals during weekdays and have a gathering one night/week. We offer mentoring and connection. The house is managed by Athena, from the church leadership team.
Chaplaincy at Massey is simple, functioning around a hot drinks trolley that pops up in different parts of campus. This enables conversation with staff and students who are usually not in faith. Chapel is weekly, with a Bible study, sharing and prayer.
From our perspective chaplains at Massey, we’re really excited to be able to offer this opportunity. Until now, Massey students that wish to live in a christian community like this, have had to align with Victoria University campus and their Chaplaincy in Kelburn. We’re all great friends with their team, but it’s awesome to offer this alongside Massey rather than hitchhiking with another uni.
The main student accomodation offered at Massey Wgtn is all self-catered and a lot of courses include online learning, meaning an increasing number of students get lonely or disconnected. For students, community has become increasingly important, especially in the first few years of study. Caedmon is a close-knit holistic community that offers connection in a number of ways.
St Hilda was a mighty force of leadership in the 7th century. She was responsible for running a large monastery and chaired the synod where the Roman and Celtic church merged. She invited a herdsman poet ‘Caedmon’ to join her community and he went on to become England’s first published poet. St Hilda’s in Island Bay carry on the tradition of celebrating the arts within the community, hosting gigs and events.
For more information, contact us on islandbayanglican@gmail.com
