NELSON’S CATHEDRAL
MOST AMBITIOUS PLAN
COMPLETING ANOTHER PORTION
One of the few Anglican Cathedrals built in New Zealand, the Nelson Cathedral is only one quarter completed yet the marble structure has be.come famed for its beauty in this country and overseas. It took 17 years to build the portion now jn use and there are few left of the pioneers whose high ideals permitted acceptance of only the best in architectural design and building materials. Constructed of Takaka marble the building is heavily reinforced with steel and concrete, the effects of serious earthquake being borne in mind by the architect, Mr Frank Peck, who was associated with the building of some of the finest cathedrals in England. At the southern entrance of the nave there is laid a piece of stone from Canterbury Cathedral dating back to 1070. The style of the cathedral is of the first period of early English Gothic and is noted for its perfect proportions and its simplicity of design.
The site of the Nelson Cathedral is almost ideal, Dominating the centre of the city it is set in trees and gardens on a slight rise. Bishop Selwyn was the first to foresee the possibilities of the Church Hill, as it is now called, and he secured it shortly after he had preached his first sermon in a tent close to where the present cathedral stands. The grant deed from the New Zealand Land Company was signed by Alfred Domett, New Zealand’s statesman poet.
By no means the most financial diocese in New Zealand, Nelson has done well to erect such a cathedral and although there have been suggestions that the whole design is too ambitious there are few in Nelson who have not a pride in the completed portion and hope to see the building carried a step further in their lifetime. A legacy of £lO,OOO from Miss Marsden provides for the erection of a massive spire and a campaign is at present being conducted for funds to recommence building operations when the necessary labour and materials are available.
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Bibliographic details
Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 72, Issue 6241, 12 June 1946, Page 4
Word Count
344NELSON’S CATHEDRAL Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 72, Issue 6241, 12 June 1946, Page 4
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