Strikers' sanctuary, St Peter's Church, Wellington

St Peter’s Church, Willis Street, circa 1910s.

During the street fighting of 5 November, some strike supporters rushed into the church to escape charging mounted specials. Worshippers at a service in progress at the time were disturbed by the intrusion. During the same incident, a ‘well-known medical man’ was seen holding a rifle while standing at the window of a building overlooking the street. He later claimed to have been taking the weapon to get it cleaned.

See more images of Wellington during the 1913 strike here (Flickr)