Christ Church Cathedral, Christchurch

Construction

Construction of the cathedral took 40 years, with construction paused at times due to a lack of funding.

The origins of the cathedral date back to the plans of the Canterbury Association, which aimed to build a city around a central cathedral and college in the Canterbury region, based on the English model of Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford. In the original survey of central Christchurch (known as the Black Map), undertaken in 1850, it was envisaged for the college and cathedral to be built in Cathedral Square.^[7] The area set aside for the college was found to be insufficient, and Henry Sewell suggested in June 1853 to move it to land reserved for the Christchurch Botanic Gardens.^[8] This transaction was formalised through The Cathedral Square Ordinance 1858 passed by the Canterbury Provincial Council in October 1858.^[9] The ordinance allowed for Colombo Street to go through the middle of Cathedral Square at a legal width of 1.5 chains (99 ft; 30 m) with the cathedral to the west.^[9][10]

Henry Harper, the first Bishop of Christchurch, arrived in 1856 and began to drive the cathedral project.^[11][12] Most Christian churches are oriented towards the east,^[13][14] and to comply with this convention, Harper lobbied to have the eastern side of Cathedral Square to be used. That way, the main entrance would face Colombo Street, resulting in praying towards the east in line with custom.^[15] The Cathedral Square Amendment Ordinance 1859, formalised this change.^[16][17]

In 1858 the project was approved by the diocese^{[citation needed]} and a preliminary design was commissioned from George Gilbert Scott, a prolific British architect known for his Gothic Revival churches and public buildings.^[17] Scott never visited Christchurch, but handed over the oversight of the project to Robert Speechly.^[11] Scott had earlier designed a timber church, the plans for which arrived with the Reverend Thomas Jackson in 1851, but were never used.^[2]

Just before work on the foundations began, the alignment of Colombo Street through Cathedral Square was changed by introducing a curve towards the west, with the western side of the legal road having a radius of 3 chains 75 links (75 m),^[18] to place the cathedral slightly further west, making its tower visible along Colombo Street from a distance.^[15]

Scott's original design was for a Gothic-style cathedral, primarily constructed in oak timber to make it resistant to earthquakes.^[19] Bishop Harper and the Cathedral Commission, however, argued that the cathedral should be built from stone. Scott's revised plans received in 1862, showed an internal timber frame with a stone exterior. Superintendent James FitzGerald suggested an iron or steel frame to reduce cost, but Harper rejected this as he believed some bishops refused to consecrate iron-framed churches.^[19] Continuing pressure for an all-stone church, and concerns over the lack of timber in Canterbury, led to Scott supplying alternative plans for a stone arcade and clerestory. These plans arrived in New Zealand in 1864.^[2]

The cornerstone was laid on 16 December 1864,^[20] and by April 1865 the foundations had largely been completed,^[21] but work stopped soon after due to a lack of funds. The square was essentially abandoned for the next 8 years, becoming overgrown with grass.^[22] Speechly's contract expired in 1868, and he left for Melbourne.^[22] Commentators of the time voiced their disappointment at the lack of progress. The novelist Anthony Trollope visited in 1872 and referred to the "vain foundations" as a "huge record of failure",^[11] describing the square as a "large waste space" with "not a single brick or single stone above the level of the ground".^[23]

In 1873 a new resident architect, New Zealander Benjamin Mountfort, took over and construction began again. Mountfort had been passed over to manage the project when it was first mooted 10 years previously.^[24] The reasons at the time had been that the bishop wanted an English architect, with Harper describing Mountfort's other buildings as lacking "taste and strength of composition".^[25] During the intervening decade, however, Mountfort had proven himself quite capable with projects including the Canterbury Provincial Council Buildings and Canterbury Museum.^[24] Mountfort adapted Scott's design, including: adding balconies and pinnacles to the tower; adding porches to the north and west; increasing the height of the south porch; extending the run of interior columns; and decorative details such as the font, pulpit and stained glass.^[11][26] He also rearranged the pattern of the roof slates.^[25] Banks Peninsula totara and matai timber were used for the roof supports.^[27] By the end of 1875 the walls were 23 feet (7.0 m) high, and the first service was held within them.^[26]

The nave, 100 foot (30 m) long, and tower were consecrated on 1 November 1881.^[27] In 1894, Elizabeth, the widow of Alfred Richard Creyke, arranged for the western porch to be built in his memory.^[28] When Mountfort died in 1898, his son, Cyril Mountfort (1852–1920), took over as supervising architect.^[29] He oversaw the completion of the chancel, transept and apse, construction of which began in 1900^[30] and was finished by 1904.^[31] The Christchurch Beautifying Society planted two plane trees to the south in 1898.^[27]

The Rhodes family, who arrived in Canterbury before the First Four Ships, provided funds for the tower and spire. Robert Heaton Rhodes sponsored the tower in memory of his brother George^[32] and the spire was added by George's children. The steps of the wooden lectern were sponsored by George's children.^[33] The family donated eight bells^[34] and a memorial window, and paid for renovations as required.

The spire reached to 63 metres (207 ft) above Cathedral Square, and public access provided for a good viewpoint over the centre of the city. The spire was damaged by earthquakes on four occasions. The tower originally contained a peal of ten bells, cast by John Taylor & Co of Loughborough, and hung in 1881. The original bells were replaced in 1978 by 13 new bells, also cast at Taylors.^[35]

In 1999 the cathedral underwent significant earthquake strengthening, which reinforced the roof and the walls.^[36] This was credited with keeping the building fabirc intact during the major earthquakes of the 2010s, and saving the lives of people within the building during aftershocks.^[37]

Heritage listing

On 7 April 1983, the church was registered by the New Zealand Historic Places Trust as a Category I historic place, registration number 46. It is the only church designed by Scott in New Zealand. Its design was significantly influenced by Mountfort. It is a major landmark and tourist attraction, and for many it symbolises the ideals of the early settlers. There are numerous memorial tablets and memorial windows, acting as a reminder of the early people and the region's history.^[2] For example, a list of the 84 members of the Canterbury Association was first compiled for volume one of A History of Canterbury. Even before the history was published in 1957, a memorial tablet of the members was installed in the western porch in 1955.^[38]

Visitor centre

During the 1990s, largely under the guidance of dean John Bluck, the cathedral underwent redevelopment and renovation. The operation and maintenance of the cathedral was costing close to NZ$1,000,000 a year, and it was decided that money from visiting tourists could be captured to meet the shortfall.^[39] The decision to add a visitor centre was controversial; some objected to the idea of operating a trade business in a church on religious grounds.^[40] The design of the new building was also a point of contention, with the Historic Places Trust threatening to block any alteration of the cathedral.^[40]

The final design was a two-storey building on the north side of the cathedral, partially buried underground to minimise the impact on the profile of the cathedral.^[41] The profile of the building was designed to complement that of the neo-Gothic cathedral. The centre was officially opened by Queen Elizabeth on 4 November 1994.^[42]

Rose window

The rose window was designed by Mountfort, and was presented by Leonard Harper and his wife Joanna.^[49] The window featured 31 sections and 4000 pieces of stained-glass,^[49] made in London in 1881 by glass artisans Clayton and Bell.^[50] The window was installed at the western end of the nave, 20 metres (66 ft) above the main door.^[50] The window had a diameter of 7.5 metres (25 ft).^[51] The artwork depicts the hierarchy of angels orbiting around the Lamb of God.^[50]

During an earthquake in June 2011, the rose window collapsed onto a roof below, and was destroyed. The fragments were carefully recovered, and in 2022 they were sent to a local stained-glass artisan, Graham Stewart, for restoration. Less than 10% of the original window could be salvaged, leaving Stewart to recreate much of the lost artwork. In June 2024, the restoration was completed.^[50]

Early earthquakes

1881

A stone was dislodged from the finial cap of the spire, immediately below the terminal cross, within a month of the cathedral's consecration.^[52]

1888

Approximately 8 metres of stonework fell from the top of the spire as a result of 1 September 1888 North Canterbury earthquake. The stone spire was replaced.^[52] The repair was completed in August 1891, with Bishop Julius hoisted to the top of the spire to place the last stone.^[53]

1901

The top of the spire fell again as a result of 16 November 1901 Cheviot earthquake. In 1902 it was replaced with a more resilient structure of Australian hardwood sheathed with weathered copper sheeting, with an internal mass damper.^[52] The repairs were funded by the Rhodes family.^[54]

1922

One of the stone crosses fell during 25 December 1922 Motunau earthquake.^[55]

Modern earthquakes

2010

4 September 2010 Canterbury earthquake caused some superficial damage and the cathedral was closed for engineering inspections until 22 September 2010, when it was deemed safe to reopen.^[56] Further damage was sustained in the Boxing Day aftershock on 26 December.^[57]

2011 February

The 6.3-magnitude earthquake on 22 February 2011 left the cathedral damaged and several surrounding buildings in ruins. The spire was completely destroyed, leaving only the lower half of the tower standing. While the walls and roof remained mostly intact, the gable of the west front sustained damage and the roof over the western section of the north aisle, nearest the tower, collapsed from falling tower debris.^[58] Inspection showed that the pillars supporting the building were severely damaged; further investigation of damage to the foundations was anticipated, to determine whether the cathedral could be rebuilt on the site.^[59]

Preliminary reports suggested that as many as 20 people had been in the tower at the time of its collapse,^[60][61][62] but a thorough examination by Urban Search and Rescue teams found no bodies.^[63]

2011 June

The cathedral suffered further damage on 13 June 2011 from the 6.4-magnitude June 2011 Christchurch earthquake with the rose window in the west wall falling in^[64] and raised the question of "... whether the cathedral needed to be deconsecrated and demolished".^[65]

2011 December

The cathedral suffered further damage from the swarm of earthquakes on 23 December, the largest measuring 6.0 on the Richter magnitude scale, during which what remained of the rose window collapsed.^[66]

Opposition

Strong opposition to the proposed demolition quickly formed, with heritage groups including the UNESCO World Heritage Centre opposing the action. Those opposed to the demolition included mayor Bob Parker, former mayor Garry Moore,^[79] future mayor Lianne Dalziel,^[80] Ruth Dyson,^[81] Philip Burdon, Jim Anderton, David Carter, broadcaster Mike Yardley, actor David McPhail, and businessmen including Humphry Rolleston and Mike Pero.^[82] A local character, the Wizard of New Zealand, made protests calling for the cathedral to be saved.^[83] Two opposition groups were set up: Mark Belton organised the Restore Christchurch Cathedral group, and the Great Christchurch Buildings Trust was led by Anderton and Burdon.^[84] Burdon pledged NZ$1,000,000 to the restoration, and British businessman Hamish Ogston pledged NZ$4,000,000.^[85]

Kit Miyamoto, an American-based structural engineer and expert in earthquake rebuilding, inspected the cathedral after the September 2010 quake. He cited his experience in stating that restoring and strengthening of the building was both "feasible and affordable".^[73][86]

In April 2012, a group of engineers from the New Zealand Society for Earthquake Engineering launched a petition seeking the support of 100 colleagues to stop the demolition. They claimed that legal action was also a possibility.^[87] In the same month the Restore Christchurch Cathedral Group sought signatures for a petition to save the cathedral.^[88][89]

Many locals perceived that the church and government were pressing ahead with demolition, without consultation and against the will of the public.^[90] Earthquake recovery minister Gerry Brownlee claimed that nearby property owners wanted the cathedral demolished, but when contacted, they in fact unanimously supported restoration.^[91] Support for restoration was not as unanimous in the wider city, however; a Colmar-Brunton poll, organised in 2014 by restoration advocates, showed that 51% of the population wanted the cathedral restored, and only 43% wanted it demolished.^[92] Matthew maintained that the future of the cathedral was not a question for all of Christchurch; rather, it was an issue for the church and the people in her diocese.^[93] She compared efforts from public interest groups getting involved in the process to "other people designing a person's damaged home".^[94]

Legal challenges

On 15 November 2012 the High Court issued an interim judgement^[95] granting an application for judicial review made by the Great Christchurch Buildings Trust, challenging the lawfulness of the decision to demolish. This effectively paused demolition, though it did not rule that the demolition was illegal.^[96]

In early December 2013, the Supreme Court rejected a further bid to preserve the cathedral.^[97] The issue again went to court in May 2014. The court ruled that while there were inconsistencies in the decision-making for the demolition, there was nothing that justified blocking the demolition, and they stay of demolition was lifted.^[98] This effectively ended the legal attempts to block the demolition.^[99]

In July 2015, Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee wrote to church leaders stating concerns that the lack of progress was holding up the earthquake recovery of the central city.^[100] In September, Bishop Matthews announced that the church had agreed to a proposal to an independent government-appointed negotiator between Church Property Trustees and the Great Christchurch Building Trust.^[101] No official announcement was made with regards to the appointment due to confidentiality agreements, but it was later revealed that Miriam Dean QC ad been appointed at the independent facilitator.^[102] Dean met engineers from all of the interested groups in order to draw a conclusion on the feasibility of restoring the cathedral.^[102] Her report concluded that the estimated cost of reinstatement was around NZ$105,000,000, and that a proposed contemporary Warren and Mahoney replacement design was likely to cost NZ$66,000,000.^[103] On 23 December, Bishop Matthews and Gerry Brownlee announced that the church had agreed to Dean's report that stated that "the building could be reinstated [...] to be 'indistinguishable' from the pre-earthquake building",^[104] signalling the end of the impasse. A Cathedral Working Group was set up to consult with all parties about their preferred plan, and in November 2016 they reported their findings. They recommended broad reinstatement of the original building, with some alterations to add new church offices, choir practice rooms, visitor's centre, museum and cafe.^[105] On 9 September 2017, the Anglican synod voted with a 55% majority to reinstate the cathedral,^[106][107] ending a long and acrimonious dispute about the future of the building. Bishop Matthews resigned in March 2018, shortly after reinstatement work began.^[108]

Mothballing

In 2024 the reconstruction cost was revalued to NZ$248,000,000 after a project review. After access was gained to go inside the cathedral the year prior, it was discovered that assumptions about the foundations were wrong. After the review the board decided to "reduce the scope, cost and risk of the project by removing the deep foundation for the tower and the lower courtyard, thus mitigating [the original project's risk]".^[117] To reduce the funding gap of over $100 million, in June 2024 the synod decided that it would reduce the cathedral's seismic strengthening.^[118] This reduced the total estimate down to NZ$219,000,000, which still represented an NZ$85,000,000 shortfall.^[119] In August the government decided that it would not continue to fund the rebuild,^[120] and it was decided that restoration would be paused indefinitely.^[121] The indefinite pause in restoration was referred to as "mothballing", and involved making the worksite safe, adding a temporary 4-tonne weathertight roof, removing all scaffolding and construction equipment, and pushing the perimeter fence back closer to the building.^[122] The site closure work was completed in December 2024,^[119] and small visitor tour groups were allowed inside throughout the month.^[121] Restoration project leader Mark Stewart stated that the term "mothballing" implied the project had been abandoned, but he disputed that it had been abandoned.^[123]