NELSON CATHEDRAL

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 80, 31 August 1945, Page 4

NELSON CATHEDRAL

TASK OF COMPLETION

The view that the nave of the Nelson Cathedral is the most beautiful of all buildings in New Zealand, is held by Mr K. W. H. Ellicott, who has been a keep student of ecclesiastical architecture for many years. Mr Ellicott, who has been appointed organiser for the Million Shillings Fund for the completion of the Nelson Cathedral and financing the erection of country churches, returned to New Zealand from England in 1940 after visiting 24 cathedrals and abbeys. Mr Ellicott stated to “The Mail” that he saw the Nelson Cathedral in 1930 and was particularly impressed with the exceptionally high standard of architecture that had been accepted for a site unequalled in the Dominion. He felt then that anything he could do to further its completion would be well worthwhile. Mr Ellicott considered that there was no doubt that the people of New Zealand had become conscious of the importance of forethought and provision for buildings of cultural value. Moreover, these were days of renewed responsibility towards religion, as well as being a period of re-construction. Throughout the country at the present time there was a call to action which would prove our faith in the future. We owed it to the new era to build beautifully and raise the standard of culture, so that we might hand on the torch of Christianity in at least one of its many-sided activities, efficiently and effectively. % Mr Ellicott said he had every faith in the completion of the Nelson Cathedral and the lasting satisfaction which it would give to the people. The organiser will be engaged for a year on this task, the next two months being spent in the Nelson district.