The cemetery is located within the grounds of St Cuthbert's Church and features many significant and historical names of early settlers.



The first recorded service in Governors Bay was held in a private home in 1852. The foundation stone for the Anglican Church of St Cuthbert was laid on 30 January 1860. Designed by architect George Mallinson, it was built by the early settlers over a period of two years. Some of the stone came from Garlick's quarry and some was carted up from the beach by parishioners. A stone chancel was added in 1864. The church became debt-free and was consecrated on Sunday 22 June 1875 by Archbishop Henry Harper. In the early 1900's a wooden belfry was erected at the north side of the church (later replaced) and the shingle roof was replaced with corrugated iron. A small vestry was added to the south side of the church in 1980 by Jack Hussey, a local builder. In the 1950-1960's it was shared with Methodists and Presbyterians on alternate Sundays. In 1969 St Andrew's, Diamond Harbour and St Cuthbert's, Governors Bay entered into a Covenant with the Lyttelton Union Parish to worship and work together in Diamond Harbour and Governors Bay as Community Churches. St Cuthbert's was registered with the Historic Places Trust in 1985 as a Category 1 Historic Place.



The iconic stone St Cuthbert's church was severely damaged by the magnitude 7 earthquake on 4 September 2010. The sod and stone walls were cracked and the masonry surrounding the East window crashed through the altar. The stained glass window, whilst almost fully intact, was bowed and at risk of being crushed by it's crumbling frame. The church was declared unsafe to worship however many people were involved in its restoration. St Cuthbert's congregation member Tony Eastwood took on all the organisation and also undertook an enormous amount of the physical work himself. The community also got behind the project and people were unstinting in their donations and help in completing, furnishing and landscaping around the church. The Church Property Trust worked hard to get grants and in administrating the building restoration. On Sunday 25 June 2017, parishioners, former parishioners and community members celebrated the restoration with the first service of worship since 2010.

(notes courtesy of Mount Herbert Parish website)