3-021-329 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Roman Catholic church, Wellington, New Zealand, 1869. 'The Roman Catholic cathedral...is now completed, after being enlarged and altered in such a degree that it may be said to have been rebuilt. It is a handsome Gothic Decorated structure...It is durably constructed of native timber, such as totara and red pine. It should be borne in mind that timber constructions are considered safest in this region of New Zealand, where there is some fear of earthquakes...Flying buttresses are introduced to support the clerestory walls, which was found necessary against the strong winds prevailing during part of the year...On each side is a chapel: one dedicated to St. Mary, the other to St. Joseph, at the back of which is the sacristy. The spire of the tower is covered with 6-lb. lead. The tower itself is 16 ft. square and 106 ft. high: it contains four floors. At a height of 54 ft., facing the east, and surmounted by a canopy, with pediments and pinnacles, stands upon a half globe a beautiful statue of the Madonna, 7 ft. 3 in. high, presented by the Right Rev. Philip Joseph Viard, Bishop of Wellington. The cathedral was designed by Mr. C. J. Foxward, architect, of Wellington. The contract for the building amounted to £2945. It will seat about 400 people'. From "Illustrated London News", 1869.