Euphrasie House facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Euphrasie House |
|
|---|---|
| Alternative names | Institute des Notre Dame des Missions |
| General information | |
| Status | marked for demolition |
| Architectural style | Spanish Mission (Romanesque influenced) |
| Address | Clyde Street |
| Town or city | Hamilton |
| Country | New Zealand |
| Completed | 1889 (original building) 1939 (current building) |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect | Jack Chitty |
Euphrasie House was an old building in Hamilton East, New Zealand. It was built in a special style called Spanish Mission style. This building used to be a convent, which is a home for nuns.
Today, only the St Mary’s Convent Chapel is still standing. A Hamilton architect named Jack Chitty designed this chapel in 1926. Later, in 1930, a beautiful marble altar and two angel statues were added inside.
History
The convent first opened its doors in 1899. Before that, in 1884, four nuns came to Hamilton. Their goal was to provide Christian education for the children living there. The first building was three stories tall. It was the tallest building in Hamilton at that time.
However, by 1938, the original building was not safe anymore. So, a new building was constructed in 1939. Bishop James Michael Liston officially opened this new building. For many decades, Euphrasie House was a hostel. It provided a place to live for students attending Sacred Heart Girls' College. The hostel closed in 2011.
In 2012, a group of people protested. They did not want the building to be torn down. The plan was to replace it with a new church center. Reports said it would cost too much money to make the old building safe from earthquakes. Sadly, in 2013, Euphrasie House was marked for demolition. This building had been home to thousands of school girls.
In 2017, most of Euphrasie House was demolished. But the chapel was saved! It is now a protected heritage site. The chapel was made stronger and restored to its former glory.
