Rose Historic Chapel facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Rose Historic Chapel |
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The Rose Historic Chapel following the February 2011 earthquake
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| 43°31′23″S 172°38′14″E / 43.52312°S 172.6371°E | |
| Location | Christchurch Central City, Christchurch |
| Country | New Zealand |
| Denomination | Non-denominational |
| Previous denomination | Catholic |
| History | |
| Former name(s) | St Mary's Convent Chapel |
| Status |
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| Founder(s) | Bishop John Grimes |
| Events | 2011 Christchurch earthquake |
| Architecture | |
| Functional status | Preserved |
| Architect(s) | Sidney and Alfred Luttrell |
| Architectural type | Church |
| Style | Gothic Revival |
| Completed | 1910 |
| Closed | 1994 (as a Catholic chapel) |
| Specifications | |
| Materials | Hoon Hay and Oamaru stone |
The Rose Historic Chapel is a special old stone building in Christchurch, New Zealand. It used to be called the St Mary's Convent Chapel. This beautiful chapel was built in 1910 and has a unique design called Gothic Revival. It's so important that it's officially listed as a "Historic Place" by the New Zealand Historic Places Trust.
Contents
A Look at Its Past
The First Bishop of Christchurch
The first leader of the Catholic Church in Christchurch was Bishop John Grimes. He arrived in February 1888. Bishop Grimes helped bring people together in the Catholic community. He worked to unite different groups of settlers.
During his time as bishop, many churches and buildings were built. One of these was the St Mary's Convent, home to the Sisters of Mercy.
The Sisters of Mercy and the Chapel
The Sisters of Mercy came to Christchurch in 1894. They started the St Mary's Parish School and Convent. The chapel, which is now the Rose Historic Chapel, was built in 1910.
It is the only building left from the original St Mary's Convent. The rest of the complex was taken down in 1994.
The Architects Behind the Design
The chapel was designed by two brothers, Alfred Edgar Luttrell and Edward Sidney Luttrell. This was their first project for the Catholic Church in Christchurch. They became well-known for designing many other churches and buildings in the area.
Recent History of the Chapel
Later, the Christchurch City Council bought the chapel. They worked with the Rose Chapel Trust to fix it up. The chapel was damaged during the big 2011 Christchurch earthquake. However, it has been repaired and preserved.
Why Is It Important?
A Historic Place Listing
On July 14, 1995, the chapel was officially listed as a "Category II historic place." This means it's a building that is important to New Zealand's history and culture. Its special number is 7239.
What Makes It Special?
The Rose Historic Chapel is important for several reasons:
- Its Beauty: The chapel has a beautiful design, especially its stained glass windows.
- Its Architecture: The Luttrell brothers were famous for designing churches. This chapel shows their skill.
- Its Cultural Value: It was once a place for religious teaching and a spiritual home for the nuns.
