Nelson’s iconic Christ Church Cathedral celebrated the 100th anniversary of its marble building over the weekend with tours, services, and a commemorative tree planting.
For over 180 years, a church of some form has stood on Piki Mai – “come up hither” – overlooking the heart of Nelson. The first was a tent where Bishop Selwyn led services in 1842.
On 2 August 1925, the foundation stone was laid for the current marble cathedral. The cathedral is built from Tākaka marble, used in only one other building in New Zealand – the fascia of the upper storeys of Parliament House in Wellington.
On Saturday, public tours of the cathedral drew over 100 visitors throughout the day to explore the building, from the bell tower above to the crypt beneath. Dean Graham O’Brien said the tours were an important opportunity to share the building’s story.
“It’s great to have the cathedral open for the whole community,” he said. “Understanding the history and what it represents is really important.”
In the afternoon, a crowd gathered on the cathedral grounds to plant a commemorative tōtara tree. Mayor Nick Smith, MP Rachel Boyack, Tasman District Councillor Kit Maling, and Bishop Steve Maina lowered the tree into place before others took turns with the shovel.
Mayor Smith described the tōtara as “a powerful New Zealand symbol of stature and longevity”, and emphasised the cathedral’s enduring presence at the top of Trafalgar Street. He added: “The part that I love about having the cathedral at the heart of our city is that even people who may not be of the Christian faith, the Christian values are just so important to Nelson being a peaceful place, a place of love, and a place where people are prepared to give for the benefit of others – all values that are at the core of the Christian faith.”
He also praised the cathedral’s inclusivity: “Whether it be Christmas events, the Adam Chamber Music Festival, or services to celebrate pets, the cathedral community is very welcoming of visitors.” He noted that, since the Christchurch cathedral’s tragedy, Nelson Cathedral has become the most visited cathedral in New Zealand.
The day concluded with a choral evensong, led by the cathedral choir. Celebrations continued on Sunday morning with a centenary service, morning tea and a commemorative cake, and a celebration lunch at Trafalgar Centre.
Looking ahead, Graham O’Brien said the cathedral’s future lies in both preservation and adaptation. “We’ve got the earthquake strengthening ahead, and we’re looking at enhancements to make the cathedral more usable for the congregation and the community."
He added, “This is everyone’s cathedral. People are welcome to come in, whether individually or in groups, to learn more about its history. We want people to feel it’s their cathedral.”
Check out other articles in the
series below.
More articles in the
series are to come.
We have invited these writers to share their experiences, ideas and opinions in the hope that these will provoke thought, challenge you to go deeper and inspire you to put your faith into action. These articles should not be taken as the official view of the Nelson Diocese on any particular matter.
Nelson’s iconic Christ Church Cathedral celebrated the 100th anniversary of its marble building over the weekend with tours, services, and a commemorative tree planting.
For over 180 years, a church of some form has stood on Piki Mai – “come up hither” – overlooking the heart of Nelson. The first was a tent where Bishop Selwyn led services in 1842.
On 2 August 1925, the foundation stone was laid for the current marble cathedral. The cathedral is built from Tākaka marble, used in only one other building in New Zealand – the fascia of the upper storeys of Parliament House in Wellington.
On Saturday, public tours of the cathedral drew over 100 visitors throughout the day to explore the building, from the bell tower above to the crypt beneath. Dean Graham O’Brien said the tours were an important opportunity to share the building’s story.
“It’s great to have the cathedral open for the whole community,” he said. “Understanding the history and what it represents is really important.”
In the afternoon, a crowd gathered on the cathedral grounds to plant a commemorative tōtara tree. Mayor Nick Smith, MP Rachel Boyack, Tasman District Councillor Kit Maling, and Bishop Steve Maina lowered the tree into place before others took turns with the shovel.
Mayor Smith described the tōtara as “a powerful New Zealand symbol of stature and longevity”, and emphasised the cathedral’s enduring presence at the top of Trafalgar Street. He added: “The part that I love about having the cathedral at the heart of our city is that even people who may not be of the Christian faith, the Christian values are just so important to Nelson being a peaceful place, a place of love, and a place where people are prepared to give for the benefit of others – all values that are at the core of the Christian faith.”
He also praised the cathedral’s inclusivity: “Whether it be Christmas events, the Adam Chamber Music Festival, or services to celebrate pets, the cathedral community is very welcoming of visitors.” He noted that, since the Christchurch cathedral’s tragedy, Nelson Cathedral has become the most visited cathedral in New Zealand.
The day concluded with a choral evensong, led by the cathedral choir. Celebrations continued on Sunday morning with a centenary service, morning tea and a commemorative cake, and a celebration lunch at Trafalgar Centre.
Looking ahead, Graham O’Brien said the cathedral’s future lies in both preservation and adaptation. “We’ve got the earthquake strengthening ahead, and we’re looking at enhancements to make the cathedral more usable for the congregation and the community."
He added, “This is everyone’s cathedral. People are welcome to come in, whether individually or in groups, to learn more about its history. We want people to feel it’s their cathedral.”
Check out other articles in the
series below.
More articles in the
series are to come.
