This thesis examines the church in Canterbury losing its authority as a result of secularisation and how this process was reflected in the Canterbury daily newspapers; The Press, the Lyttelton Times and The Star. This research takes the form of content analysis and covers the period from 1880 to 2000. The focus is on what has been reported in the newspapers about the church and why media interest has declined in the church as a news topic. This will be discussed in the context of the effects of secularisation: the church's reluctance to acknowledge the secular forces of change and the journalists’ acceptance of these changes, resulting in the style of journalism needing to alter. This changed style of journalism has caused the church to be reported in a different way which most church representatives find unsatisfactory. This has contributed to the church being distrustful and critical of journalists. This thesis argues that the misunderstanding and distance between church leaders and the news media can be resolved.