Built in 1880, this Gothic Revival style church was commissioned by Charles Meyer of Blue Cliffs Station as a memorial to his wife Ellen. Designed by Christchurch architect Benjamin Mountfort, it is built of limestone from the Albury district.

• Heritage NZ Inventory - Link: https://www.heritage.org.nz/list-details/319/St%20Mary's%20Church%20 (Anglican)
• District Council Heritage - Link: 

St Mary's Esk Valley was designed by the Christchurch architect B.W. Mountford and built of limestone from the Albury district and roofed with timber shingles - later replaced with corrugated iron.

The church had its origins in tragedy. In 1878 Ellen, the young wife of Charles Meyer, owner of Blue Cliffs Station, died following an operation. Charles Meyer instructed his trustees to build the little stone church to fulfil his wife's wish and to her memory. Ellen had often expressed the wish to see a church on this site clearly visible from their home.

The church stands on a low ridge overlooking Esk Valley where it can be seen from the Blue Cliffs homestead, five miles away at the foot of the Hunters Hills.

It was consecrated in May 1880 by Bishop Harper.

The interior is rich with colour from windows dedicated to members of some of the early settler families in the district.