Taranaki Cathedral facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Taranaki Cathedral
The Taranaki Cathedral Church of St Mary
Taranaki Cathedral Church of St Mary
39°03′37″S 174°04′23″E / 39.060271°S 174.073080°E / -39.060271; 174.073080
Country	New Zealand
Denomination	Anglican
History
Former name(s)	St Mary's Church (1842 – 2010)
Status	Cathedral (since 2010) Church (1842 – 2010)
Founder(s)	George Selwyn
Consecrated	6 March 2010 (as a cathedral)
Events	2011 Christchurch earthquake
Architecture
Functional status	Closed for repairs (2016)
Architect(s)	Frederick Thatcher John Francis Messenger
Architectural type	Church
Style	Gothic Revival
Years built	1845–1846
Closed	2016
Specifications
Materials	Stone
Administration
Diocese	Waikato and Taranaki
Province	Anglican Church in Aotearoa

The Taranaki Cathedral Church of St Mary is an Anglican cathedral located in New Plymouth, New Zealand. It used to be called St Mary's Church until 2010.

This cathedral is the oldest stone church in New Zealand. It is also listed on the New Zealand Heritage Register. The cathedral is the main church for the Bishop of Waikato and Taranaki, Bishop Philip Richardson.

The first part of the church was built between 1845 and 1846. It was designed in the Gothic Revival style by Frederick Thatcher. He was an architect from London and one of the first people to settle in New Plymouth.

In 2016, the cathedral had to close for repairs. This happened after a check following the 2011 Christchurch earthquake.

A Look Back at History

New Plymouth was chosen as the second European settlement in New Zealand. Settlers started arriving there from 1841. They needed places to practice their religion and keep their traditions. They also wanted to share their faith with the Māori people.

Most of the settlers belonged to the Church of England. So, a group called the Church Mission Society asked for a Bishop for New Zealand. This bishop would help set up the Anglican church in the new Diocese of New Zealand. At first, this diocese covered all of New Zealand and some islands in Polynesia.

Bishop Selwyn's Vision

Bishop George Selwyn

In 1841, George Augustus Selwyn became the first Bishop of New Zealand. He arrived in 1842 and began his important work.

After visiting New Plymouth in October 1842, Bishop Selwyn started planning to build churches. He chose Reverend William Bolland to be the Deacon for New Plymouth. He also found Frederick Thatcher, an architect from London, who arrived in New Plymouth in 1843. Thatcher was very important in designing New Zealand's Gothic Revival churches.

With money from Bishop Selwyn, Reverend Bolland and Frederick Thatcher started building two new churches. These were St Mary's Church in central New Plymouth and the Holy Trinity Church in Henui (now Fitzroy).

Building St Mary's Church

The first stone for St Mary's was laid on March 23, 1845. Stone masons Thomas Rusden, Harry Hooker, and Phillip Moon built the church in 18 months. They used stones brought from the beach. George Robinson, the main builder, created the beautiful roof from rimu (a type of red pine).

The original part of St Mary's was built between 1845 and 1846. It is one of New Zealand's earliest stone churches. This first section was about 15 meters long and 9 meters wide. It had rough stone walls, wooden beams, a steep rimu roof, and tall, narrow windows with pointed tops.

St Mary's During Wartime

During the First Taranaki War and Second Taranaki War, St Mary's was more than just a church. It became a safe place. The churchyard was used for animals, and the church itself even stored ammunition for a while.

Soldiers stayed in the west part of the church, where new sections were being built. These new parts included holes for muskets (old guns). Sometimes, a naval force was inside the church to protect it. Women and children often gathered inside for safety when the town was in danger.

Growing the Church Building

St Mary’s Church (around 1910)

Over the years, the church has been made much bigger and changed. All the new parts blend well together. The first additions were made during the war years. In 1859, the church was made longer, and a porch was added. However, fighting caused delays, so this part was not finished until 1862.

In 1864, another section was added next to the existing building. This was designed by George Robinson, who was the main builder of the original church.

More additions were made in 1893 to the chancel (the area around the altar), apse (a rounded end), sanctuary (holy area), and organ room. These were designed by Benjamin W. Mountfort, a famous church architect. In 1915, the All Saints side chapel was added. This was designed by John Francis Messenger, a local architect. At the same time, the northern transept (a part that crosses the main body of the church) was made larger.

Becoming a Cathedral

St Mary's was a parish church from 1842 until 2010. On March 6, 2010, it officially became a cathedral in the Diocese of Waikato and Taranaki.

On June 28, 1984, the building was recognized as a Category I heritage site by the New Zealand Historic Places Trust (now Heritage New Zealand). This means it is a very important historic place.

The cathedral is part of the Community of the Cross of Nails. It works as a center for peace and helping people come together.

Recent Times

In February 2016, the Cathedral closed after a check of its structure. This check was done because of the 2011 Christchurch earthquake. Church services then moved to the Peace Hall across the road.

The old cemetery around the church has the graves of important people. These include Reverend William Bolland, who opened the church, and Reverend Henry Govett, the second vicar. There are also graves of Captain Henry King and other notable historical figures.

Image gallery

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  St Mary’s Church
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  St Mary’s Church
  - the entrance
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  St Mary’s Church graveyard

Leaders of the Cathedral

The Dean is the main leader of the cathedral's group of priests. They are one of the most important priests in the diocese.

• 2010–2016: Jamie Allen
• 2016–2018: Peter Beck
• 2018: Ross Falconer
• 2018–2020: Trevor Harrison
• 2020–2021: Jacqui Patterson and Jay Ruka
• 2022–present: Jay Ruka