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The Christchurch Cathedral
Christchurch Cathedral, focal point of Cathedral Square in the heart of Christchurch, was designed by the English architect, Sir Gilbert Scott and the supervising architect was Benjamin Mountfort who designed the spire and internal furnishings. The foundation stone was laid in 1864, the Cathedral being opened and dedicated in 1881, and finally completed in 1904, at a cost of 65,572.
The building measures 61 m by 21 m with the 62.5 m tower being the dominating external feature. The tower has been damaged by earthquakes on three occasions and after the third occurrence in 1901, the top of the tower was replaced by hardwood sheathed in copper. The tower houses 13 bells, the heaviest of which weighs 1.77 tonnes, and they are rung every Sunday morning.
The dignity and beauty of the interior of the Cathedral is enhanced by many fine features including the high altar flanked by three wooden carvings; the pulpit with its four white alabaster carvings and the font, given by Dean Stanley of Westminster Abbey, in memory of his brother, Captain Owen Stanley. At the west end of the Cathedral is the Rose window which represents the different orders of Angels and underneath are the Mosaics, made in Venice, representing the six works of Mercy.
In the North Transept of the Cathedral is a recumbent statue of Bishop Harper, first Bishop of Christchurch and some striking modern stained glass, while in the South Transept are two statues of St Michael and St George.
Interior and exterior refurbishing of the Cathedral was completed in 1979. The chancel was restructured in 1988. The Cathedral's centennial and its significance in the life of the city was marked by a visit by H.M. The Queen on 13 October 1981.
After considerable public debate, the Christchurch Cathedral Visitor's Centre was officially opened by H.M. the Queen on 4 November 1995.
The centre, designed by Christchurch architect Alun Wilkie, was constructed at a cost of $1.4 million. The need for the centre was to assist with the more than 300,000 visitors who visit the Cathedral annually.
The centre houses a shop, restaurant, display and exhibition area, and provides an appropriate reception and information area for visitors to the Cathedral.
Related pages
Sources
This was originally derived from the Christchurch City Council handbook of 1998.
