Cathedrals usually stand as enduring monuments to human skill and inventiveness, and magnificent pointers to the presence of God among us. Their websites will tell you how they are the oldest, the largest, the tallest or the most significant of their kind. ChristChurch Cathedral is slightly different. The original Cathedral was badly damaged in the Christchurch earthquake in February 2011. We are now open and operating from our new temporary home, the Transitional Cathedral in Latimer Square, Christchurch. It is the world’s only cathedral made substantially of cardboard.
This web site aims to tell you something about who we are and what we stand for. It is a work in progress. It offers a glimpse of the building, its history and its environment. It provides information about Cathedral services and events, its music and arts programme, facilities for visitors and pilgrims, educational resources, stories about our community life and outreach, and an archive of recent sermons. I hope you will be inspired to visit Christchurch, and we look forward to welcoming you to the Cathedral.
Very Revd Lynda Patterson
Dean of Christchurch
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On Monday 14 April, it was our honour to welcome Their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge to the Cathedral, during their tour of New Zealand.
Their Royal Highnesses were presented with a copy of "Kia Kaha's Brand New House" a children's book about a Cathedral mouse in the Transitional Cathedral. The presentation was made by author, Clare Erasmus. Copies are available for sale at the Cathedral shop! [Photo: Woolf/Crown]
The Cathedral is grieving the death of our Dean, the Very Rev’d Lynda Patterson.
Lynda died at home of natural causes after a recent illness. She was aged 40.
The Bishop of Christchurch, Victoria Matthews, says Lynda spoke of the God she loved, in all she did and said. “Lynda was highly respected across the Diocese and Province and we all benefitted from her extraordinary preaching and teaching. She was also a great pastor who brought both compassion and appropriate humour to every situation.”
Bishop Victoria has asked for prayer for Lynda’s family in Northern Ireland.
The Archbishops of Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia, have asked for prayer for the Cathedral family to remember Lynda, a priest who called others to prayer for the glory of God.
Each year a group of singers from Christ Church, Oxford, the College after which this city was named, travel to Christchurch to join with the Cathedral Choir. This link with our founders has been taking place for almost 20 years. This year, being the 200th anniversary of the birth of John Robert Godley, often referred to as the Founder of Canterbury, six "Oxfords" will be travelling to Christchurch.
Between Sunday 27 July and Thursday 28 August, they will be singing with the Cathedral Choir and also the Choirs of Christ's College and St Michael's Church. Further details of services, concerts and recitals to come.
The Cathedral is available for a wide variety of events. Please see further down this page for full details.
Weekday servies of Choral Evensong will resume on Tuesday 22 July at 5.30pm
Monday 14 July
12.05pm: Holy Communion
Tuesday 15 July
12.05pm: Holy Communion with prayers for healing
Wednesday 16 July
12.05pm: Holy Communion in the Celtic tradition
Thursday 17 July
12.05pm: Holy Communion in te reo Maori
Friday 18 July
12.05pm: Holy Communion
SUNDAY 20 JULY ~ 6th Sunday after Pentecost
8.00am Holy Communion
Preacher: Dean Lynda Patterson
10.00am Choral Eucharist
Preacher: Dean Lynda Patterson
Music: The Cathedral Singers
5.00pm Choral Evensong
Music: The Cathedral Singers
Monday 21 July
12.05pm: Holy Communion
Tuesday 22 July
12.05pm: Holy Communion with prayers for healing
5.30pm Choral Evensong sung by the Cathedral Choir
Wednesday 23 July
12.05pm: Holy Communion in the Celtic tradition
5.30pm Choral Evensong sung by the Cathedral Choir
Thursday 24 July
12.05pm: Holy Communion in te reo Maori
5.30pm Choral Evensong sung by the men of the Cathedral Choir
Friday 25 July
12.05pm: Holy Communion
No Evensong tonight
SUNDAY 27 JULY ~ Social Services Sunday
8.00am Holy Communion
Preacher: Canon David Morrell
10.00am Choral Eucharist
Preacher: Canon David Morrell
Music: The Cathedral Choir
NO EVENING SERVICE AT THE CATHEDRAL
7.00pm Choral Evensong held at at St Michael & All Angels
Easter Service on Radio New Zealand:
An Easter Service from the Transitional Cathedral was broadcast on Radio New Zealand on Easter Day. You can listen to it by clicking HERE
The Cardboard Cathedral is open every day from 9.00am. We close either at 5.00pm or at the conclusion of the evening service.
The regular weekly services are below, but please do check the schedule for the current week at the top of the home page for any changes to the usual schedule. Please note that weekday services of Choral Evensong only take place during school terms.
Worship at the Transitional Cathedral
SUNDAYS
8.00am Holy Communion
10.00am Choral Eucharist
5.00pm Choral Evensong
WEEKDAY SERVICES
Holy Communion at 12.05pm
Monday (NZPB), Tuesday (NZPB, with prayers for healing),
Wednesday (Celtic tradition),
Thursday (in te reo Maori), Friday (NZPB)
Choral Evensong at 5.30pm (during school terms)
Tuesday & Wednesday (with the full Choir);
Thursday (with the gentlemen of the Choir)
Choral Evensong at 4.30pm (during school terms)
Friday (with the choristers of the Cathedral Choir)
"Cathedral Extra" is the Cathedral's bi-monthly magazine with news, information and details of services. Click on the link below to sign up and receive your copy by email.
Please click on the links below to download recent copies:
"What's Happening" is the weekly Sunday newsletter. Click below to download recent copies.
The second in the "Kia Kaha" series about a cathedral mouse by Clare Erasmus is now for sale in the Cathedral Shop. A copy was presented to The Duke & Duchess of Cambridge during their recent visit to Christchurch to give to Prince George.
Click HERE for a virtual tour of the Cathedral, courtesy of Google Maps © 2013 Google
Please click HERE to view a 2 minute time lapse film of the construction of the Transitional Cathedral
The Cathedral is available for events. if you would like to hold a concert, recital or performance, please contact the Administrator, Chris Oldham HERE
In conjunction with local catering company Moveable Feasts, we can host your fully catered event.
The Transitional Cathedral is located at 234 Hereford Street. An easy walk from the any point in the central city, the Cathedral sits at the southern end of Latimer Square, beside the future 'Green Frame'. Travel to the central city from the airport takes around 20 minutes by bus or taxi. There is no public car parking at the Cathedral. However, there is plenty of street parking nearby. There is a disabled park in the staff carpark off Madras Street for visitors to the Cathedral.
CONTACT - will take you to 234 Hereford St in Google Maps
The Transitional Cathedral is only a five minute walk away from the site of the seriously damaged Cathedral in the Square. Walk northwest through Latimer Square to Worcester Street. 500 metres along Worcester St you'll see the damaged stone Cathedral.
CONTACT - will take you to a street view of the Cathedral in the Square showing both 'pre earthquake' and 'current'
Mailing Address - PO Box 855, Christchurch 8140, New Zealand
Cathedral Address - Cnr Madras and Hereford Streets, Christchurch, New Zealand
Office Address - Cnr Gloucester and Montreal Streets, Christchurch, New Zealand
Email - admin@christchurchcathedral.co.nz
Tel - +64 3 366 0046
Around 200 volunteers support the Transitional Cathedral's life and work. They assist in different ways. Some support the services and the choir, while many enjoy greeting visitors as Transitional Cathedral guides, as shop assistant / receptionists or as ushers at evening events. Others work as cleaners or look after the garden.
If you're interested in becoming a volunteer working with the Transitional Cathedral's visitors, it would be good to hear from you. Contact Nicky Lee, Volunteer Manager.
Tel. 353 7883 DDI
Associate Dean (from 15 February 2014)
The Cathedral is the Mother Church of the Anglican Diocese of Christchurch. For information, check out their website by clicking CONTACT.
The Transitional Cathedral is available for weddings and we welcome your enquiry. Please see Wedding Information below for further details:
The Transitional Cathedral is available for baptisms. Please contact the Cathedral for details.
Please contact a member of staff for enquiries about having a funeral at the Transaitional Cathedral.
Donations in support of the 'Transitional 'Cardboard' Cathedral are urgently sought. Christchurch has suffered enormous damage. The entire central city has been decimated and along with it, our Cathedral heart. We need your support. Please partner us in this important project by making a donation. Thank you.
