Wellington Churches and Cathedrals

(Wellington, North Island, New Zealand NZ)

St. Paul's Cathedral heads up the Anglican Diocese of Wellington and is especially contemporary in its appearance. It was built using strengthened concrete designed to withstand the effects of any natural disaster, incorporated in its design following the devastation caused by New Zealand's infamous Hawke's Bay earthquake of 1931.

Close by and widely considered to be the finest timber church in the whole of New Zealand, Old St. Paul's formerly served as the city's cathedral and is also located in the Thorndon district, being separated from the National Library by Mulgrave Street. Old St. Paul's is now administered by the New Zealand Historic Places Trust and was built entirely from native timber, with distinctive Gothic Revival architecture.

Located on the corner of Willis Street and Boulcott Street, Saint Mary of the Angels is another very noteworthy church and is easy to find, since it stands just across from the towering Majestic Centre skyscraper, currently Wellington's tallest building.

St. Paul's Cathedral

Address: Molesworth Street, Thorndon, Wellington, North Island, 6001, New Zealand NZ
Tel: +64 (0)4 472 0286
Standing in the Thorndon area of Wellington, the enormous St. Paul's Cathedral was designed by Cecil Wood of Christchurch in the 1930s. Construction began in 1954, when a young Queen Elizabeth II laid the foundation stone. St. Paul's was finally completed in 1998 and features a vast interior with many outstanding features, intricate decorations and carvings. Other attractions include simply stunning architecture, wooden choir stalls, a sizeable pipe organ, stained-glass windows and regular guided tours. The cathedral is the largest of its kind in the whole of New Zealand and regularly hosts many important religious events.
Open hours: Monday to Friday - 07:15 to 17:00
Admission: free

Old St. Paul's Church

Address: 34 Mulgrave Street, Thorndon, Wellington, North Island, 6011, New Zealand NZ
Tel: +64 (0)4 473 6722
Operating as the main parish church in this area from 1866 to 1964, Old St. Paul's contains a beautifully crafted wooden interior, breathtaking stained-glass windows, a Gothic-style exterior, grand arches, historic brass wall plaques and many original period features.
Open hours: daily - 09:30 to 17:00
Admission: free, donations suggested; guided tours available by prior arrangement

Saint Mary of the Angels Church

Address: 15 Boulcott Street, Wellington, North Island, 6001, New Zealand NZ
The beautiful Saint Mary of the Angels is especially imposing and sited in the city centre, within easy reach of Cuba Street. Home to a number of historic features, this church dates back to the early 1920s and was built using modern construction techniques of the time. Of note, the Civic Centre is just a short walk away, as is the City Gallery and Kelburn Park.
Open hours: daily - 08:00 to 17:00
Admission: free

Saint Mary's Basilica

Address: 30 Hill Street, Thorndon, Wellington, North Island, 6001, New Zealand NZ
Tel: +64 (0)4 496 1700
Saint Mary's Basilica can be found within the Thorndon district and stands on a particularly scenic hillside. Constructed in the early 20th century to replace the magnificent St. Mary's Cathedral, which was completely destroyed by fire, the basilica is a grand building, with a cavernous interior and a number of extremely historic statues, which remain from the earlier cathedral.
Open hours: daily - 08:00 to 21:00
Admission: free

St. Andrew's Church on the Terrace

Address: 30 The Terrace, Wellington, North Island, 6001, New Zealand NZ
Tel: +64 0(4) 472 9211
Standing proudly in central Wellington, St. Andrew's Church on the Terrace is close to Lambton Quay, on a nearby hillside. The second church to be built on this site, St. Andrew's dates back to 1923 and boasts extremely rare and unusual neo-baroque architecture.
Open hours: daily - 08:00 to 21:00
Admission: free

St. Anne's Church

Address: Farm Road, Northland, Wellington, North Island, 6005, New Zealand NZ
Tel: +64 (0)4 472 7626
St. Anne's Church is located on the western side of the city, where it is a charming brick-built structure, steeped in history. Built in the early 1900s, attractions include colourful stained-glass windows, stone carvings and regular parish services.
Open hours: hours vary
Admission: free

St. Barnabas' Church

Address: 15 Maida Vale Road, Roseneath, Wellington, North Island, 6001, New Zealand NZ
Tel: +64 (0)4 384 8985
St. Barnabas' Church, in the Oriental Bay area, offers magnificent views across the harbour. Constructed in the late 19th century, visitors will be able to admire the attractive timber architecture and its many original period features.
Open hours: daily - 08:00 to 17:00
Admission: free

St. Peter's Anglican Church

Address: 211 Willis street, Wellington, North Island, 6001, New Zealand NZ
Tel: +64 (0)4 472 1057
Situated in central Wellington and close to Cuba Street, St. Peter's Anglican Church is a striking wooden building dating back to 1879. Highlights include stained-glass windows, a grand entrance and a tall bell tower, although the bells can never be rung fully, as it is believed that the strong vibrations would actually damage the overall structure.
Open hours: daily - 08:00 to 21:00
Admission: free

More churches and religious buildings located in Wellington and nearby areas of New Zealand's North Island.