New Zealand first new Catholic cathedral in 120 years unveiled in Christchurch

The Diocese of Christchurch has unveiled the design for a new Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament and launched an 80 million New Zealand dollar fundraising campaign. Bishop Michael Gielen announced the project in a pastoral letter read at Masses across the diocese on July 26.

The 800 seat cathedral will be built on Barbadoes Street in central Christchurch. This location was the site of the original 1905 cathedral, which was demolished in 2020 after sustaining irreparable damage during the 2010 and 2011 Canterbury earthquakes. The new building will retain its historic name and also use the Māori name Te Hāhi Matua o te Hākarameta Tapu Rawa.

Developed over two years with architects Warren and Mahoney, the design includes a perpetual adoration chapel and the Te Rangimarie community center, which can hold 300 people. This project marks the first new Catholic cathedral built in New Zealand in more than 120 years.