| Christ Church Cathedral | |
|---|---|
| Nelson Anglican Cathedral | |
 Christ Church Cathedral from Trafalgar Street, Nelson | |
 Christ Church Cathedral | |
| 41°16′34″S173°17′02″E / 41.27611°S 173.28389°E /-41.27611; 173.28389 | |
| Address | 1 Trafalgar Square,Nelson |
| Country | New Zealand |
| Denomination | Anglican |
| Website | nelsoncathedral |
| History | |
| Status | Cathedral |
| Founded | August 1925 (1925-08) |
| Dedicated |
|
| Consecrated | 14 April 1972 by BishopPeter Sutton |
| Architecture | |
| Functional status | Active |
| Architectural type | Church |
| Style | ModernistGothic Revival |
| Years built | 1925 – 1965 |
| Specifications | |
| Capacity | 350 people |
| Length | 58 metres (190 ft) |
| Width | 27 metres (89 ft) |
| Height | 35 metres (115 ft) |
| Administration | |
| Province | Anglican Church in Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia |
| Diocese | Nelson |
| Parish | Nelson Central |
| Clergy | |
| Bishop | Steve Maina |
| Dean | Dr Graham O'Brien |
Christ Church Cathedral is anAnglicancathedralchurch at 1 Trafalgar Square,Nelson, New Zealand. The cathedral serves as theseat for theBishop of Nelson, currentlySteve Maina, and is the mother church for theDiocese of Nelson of theAnglican Church in Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia.
With seating for 350 people, the cathedral was completed in theModernistGothic Revival style,[1] and is 58 metres (190 ft) in length and 27 metres (89 ft) wide. The tower is 35 metres (115 ft) high.[2]
The original church was erected in 1851 at a different site, and enlarged in 1859.[3] In 1866 the church was named as Christ Church Cathedral and enlarged again.[3]
Construction of the current cathedral began in 1925 and was finished in 1965.[3] The cathedral wasconsecrated by BishopPeter Sutton on 14 April 1972.[1]
The majority of marble was sourced from the Pakikiruna Range, nearTākaka. When construction started the marble was to be used in blocks. However, after the1929 Murchison earthquake this was deemed too risky and far too expensive. The marble was then ground down and mixed with plaster to give the unusual appearance and colour.[2]
The steps are constructed from granite. This granite was obtained from Tonga Beach, which is now part ofAbel Tasman National Park.[4] There is now a monument that overlooks Trafalgar Street and celebrates 100 years of settlement in Nelson.
The church's firstpipe organ was constructed by T.C. Lewis inLondon and shipped to Nelson in 1871.[4] The organ was then rebuilt in 1932. After 30 years of use the organ was overhauled and now consists of 2500 pipes. The organ is spread over three manuals and pedals and has a detached electric-action console situated on a gallery opposite the pipes in the chancel.[4]
