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Available Now |
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Organ music from Holy Trinity Cathedral,
played by
Eugene Lavery,
Assistant Organist |
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Click here |
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About the Cathedral
What is a Cathedral?
A Cathedral is a church which contains the Cathedra, or throne of the Bishop of the Diocese, or See, in which the Cathedral stands. Click here to see a photo of the Cathedra, and to learn a little more about it. By being the seat of the Bishop, a Cathedral also is the "mother church" of a Diocese and, by custom, is a larger building which can cater to the greater demands which are expected of it.
Why a Cathedral?
Ely Cathedral has a very good page entitled "What Are Cathedrals For?", which you may access here.
About Our Cathedral
The Cathedral of the Holy Trinity is one of several buildings in close proximity which span the history of the Anglican Church in New Zealand. Situated in the suburb of Parnell about 2 kilometres from the heart of Auckland, the largest, most populous and most northerly city in New Zealand, the Cathedral, with its blend of traditional English Gothic chancel and dramatically modern nave stands in a precinct with beautiful St Mary's, the former Cathedral Church, reputedly the largest wooden Gothic Revival church in the world - and certainly one of the most beautiful.
Anglican churches are traditionally built in the shape of a cross aligned east-west, with arms (transepts) to north and south, and the short "top" arm, housing the sanctuary and altar, pointing towards the rising sun in the east. The land which Bishop Selwyn purchased for the Cathedral lies north-south, so to fit the lie of the land our Cathedral has the liturgical "west" end of forecourt and Great Doors facing almost due north.
Our modern Cathedral successfully performs a multiplicity of roles founded in the tradition of old Cathedrals, serving as Parish church, mother church of the Auckland Diocese, seat of the Bishop of Auckland, and a leading civic, community, music, cultural, drama and arts facility.
 Sited on a prominent ridge in Parnell, on land bought for the purpose by Bishop Selwyn in 1843, the Cathedral is a fascinating blend of two totally different styles.
The neo-Gothic Chancel, a brick-clad reinforced concrete structure, has the traditional style and feel of an older Cathedral and was constructed between 1958 and 1973. Above the altar is a huge (5.5 metre; 18 feet diameter) Rose window, designed and made by noted English artist Carl Edwards. In the liturgical north transept above the Marsden Chapel, and visible as you enter through the Patteson Entrance, is a glorious golden window by artist John Baker depicting a verse from the Book of Revelation. This was presented to us by the Freemasons.
 The Nave, built between 1990 and 1995, has some similarity to a South Pacific meeting house, with doors along both sides make the ceiling seem to float in the air - a feeling further enhanced by the absence of supporting pillars. The folds in the roof are part of the supporting system. Along each side of the nave are nine windows which together tell the story of Christianity using both the Hebrew and New Testaments of the Bible. Designed by respected local artists Shane Cotton and Robert Ellis, they were fabricated by Suzanne Johnson and Ben Hanly of Glassworks Studio, Auckland.
Opposite the Patteson entrance in the (true) eastern transept, below the Revelation window, Marsden Chapel provides a peaceful haven-within-a-haven. Inside are five beautiful windows depicting Ascension, Pentecost, Stoning of St Stephen, Baptism of the Ethiopian and the Last Supper/First Eucharist. They were designed and made by renowned English artist John Baker who considers them to be the best of his long career.
Other Buildings associated with the Cathedral
Contained within the Cathedral precinct is the beautiful and historic wooden Gothic Revival church, St Mary's, former Cathedral Church of the Diocese.
Opposite the Cathedral in St Stephen's Avenue are historic Bishopscourt, residence of the Bishop of Auckland, the Selwyn Library and bell tower, and Neligan House, a former residence of Bishops, now used as the Diocesan offices. A small gallery of photographs can be found through this link.
Ten minute's easy stroll down St Stephens Avenue, past many other historic buildings, is tiny St Stephen's Chapel. Holy Communion is celebrated here each Sunday morning at 9 a.m. At other times the chapel may only be opened for viewing by arrangement with the Cathedral office. Tour groups can be accommodated by advance bookings with the Events Manager.
Other Links
Follow links in the navigation bar above, and in the links below, to learn something of our history, including the building of the Cathedral, to see photographs and drawings of the Cathedral, and to learn about activities which take place at the Cathedral.
Building the Cathedral
Cathedral Gallery
Marsden Chapel Gallery
Site plan of the Cathedral.
Click here to see a map showing the Cathedral precinct, which is bounded by Parnell Rd, St Stephen's Avenue, Brighton Road and Cathedral Close. |