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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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St Mary's Church
 St Mary's, the most sought-after venue for church weddings in Auckland, is a key destination for visitors to Auckland, because it is one of the most beautiful buildings in New Zealand. Inside, the soft patina of native timbers, the steeply lofted ceiling, and the glorious old windows blend with the furnishings of the church to create a sense of awe.
It is a wonderful place to stop for a moment away from the hurly-burly of the city outside its doors. Some choose to rest a while to bath in the tranquility which is tangibly evident and perhaps to have a moment of prayer, or to think about the people who created this wonderful building to the glory of God, and for the joy, peace and inspiration of those who choose to enter.
There are a number of interesting, and sometimes historic treasures to be seen during a visit, and the picture gallery gives you a glimpse of some of them.
Externally, it is a beautiful example of Mountfort's architecture, having superb proportions, and design features which sustain its dignity, its elegance, and its visual beauty. It is enhanced by being set among oak trees planted 160 years ago by Bishop Selwyn.
The roofline of the Cathedral Nave was inspired by the double pitch of St Mary's to complement and blend the buildings when St Mary's was moved into the Cathedral precinct. Internationally recognised as one of the finest examples of traditional English Gothic architecture in the world, and at more than 50 metres (164 feet) long, it is reputed to be the world's largest wooden Gothic building.
A national treasure, St Mary's Church is under statutory protection as a listed Historic Building.
Use the links at below to view the gallery of photographs, and to read the history.
The Parish of Parnell
A church dedicated to St Mary has served the parish since 1860. A Selwyn-Thatcher church, now known as "Old" St Mary's, was consecrated on land on Parnell Road approximately where Cathedral Place begins. This was followed by the present church, built between 1886 and 1897 on land opposite the Cathedral on Parnell Road; part of the wall frontage on the street has been preserved for historical purposes. The church was moved and rotated into its present position, with much controversy, in 1982.
St Mary's is use on special occasions, for many weddings and baptisms, for community events, and for church services when the Cathedral is otherwise occupied. Most services take place in the Cathedral.
The "statistics" link is to a page which lists the dimensions, etc., of the Church.
[Gallery][Statistics]
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