Cathedral of the Sacred Heart

• 1899 - 1901
• Construction
• 1942
• Demolition of the twin bell-towers due to earthquake damage; the bell was hung, temporarily, on a frame alongside the church, but has since been returned to the south tower.
• 1950
• New altar and interior redecoration
• 1987 - 1990
• The north facade was opened out and a large foyer, reception area, sacristy and, upstairs, a whispering gallery were built. The rear of the church was raised to improve sight-lines and seismic strengthening work commenced.
• 1998 - 1999
• Conservation repairs.

Not assessed

Not assessed

The church is unusual in that it is one of the few in New Zealand built to a traditional basilica plan. The basilica form – a standard church design based on Roman Public Buildings, which takes the form of a clerestoried nave flanked by two or more lean-to aisles and an apse at the end of the nave – was used as the Classical imagery was thought appropriate to the expression of the Catholic Church’s Roman origins. Furthermore, a Gothic-style alternative was deemed unsuitable as being both more costly, and having a longer nave unsuited to Catholic liturgical requirements.

The Cathedral has a fine interior which demonstrates a subtle balance of monumental forms with restrained classical detailing. The high central nave is supported by arcading rather than the traditional colonnades. The sanctuary is framed by Palladian window openings. The altar painting is in a small barrel vault supported by Ionic columns. An arch further forward in the chancel cleverly creates the illusion of depth.

The exterior of brick, with Oamaru stone facing, is equally impressive. The portico is as pure a piece of Classical design as can be found in the city. Six columns form a giant Ionic order which support a classical entablature of architrave, frieze and cornice, capped by a fine triangular pediment. The frieze has the words inscribed: “SS. CORDI JESU DEDICATUM. A.D. MCMI” (dedicated to the most Sacred Heart of Jesus, AD 1901). Two flanking “wings” on either side of the portico are rusticated and once supported twin bell-towers. The Hill Street side has two well proportioned banks of windows set into wide round arches.

In the 1950s Ernst Plischke was responsible for the redecoration of the interior and the design of a new altar in the manner of the original. Michael Fowler was responsible for the redecoration of the exterior in the 1970s.

Brick exterior cladding

Oamaru stone facing and Ionic columns. A considerable amount of stone was replaced in 1999 and other areas patched.

Concrete ‘core’. The concrete is described as ‘no fines’, meaning there is little sand in the mix. The core was constructed by pouring layers of the concrete between the interior and exterior walls.

Ceiling of pressed zinc

The Cathedral shares its immediate site with Connolly Hall and Sacred Heart School. These buildings, as well as St Mary’s Convent and St Mary’s College, form a large Catholic complex running between Hill and Hawkestone streets. The heritage value in this complex alone is significant.

The Cathedral is located in the heart of the high-value Thorndon heritage area; the parliamentary complex is across the road, and the former Government Buildings (now, Victoria University Law School), the Wellington Railway Station, and Old St Pauls are all in close proximity. Still, with its site on the hill and bold architecture, the Cathedral stands out. The Cathedral is a landmark in the area, and provides a clear contrast to the Gothic Revival General Assembly Library and Edwardian Baroque Parliament Buildings.

• Architectural

  Does the item have architectural or artistic value for characteristics that may include its design, style, era, form, scale, materials, colour, texture, patina of age, quality of space, craftsmanship, smells, and sounds?

  The building is a fine example of a Basilica, designed by one of New Zealand’s leading architects at the time, Francis Petre. The building is notable as the only major example of his work in the North Island, and for the quality of its design, workmanship and materials.

• Group

  Is the item part of a group of buildings, structures, or sites that taken together have coherence because of their age, history, style, scale, materials, or use?

  The Cathedral is part of a group of buildings in its immediate proximity that made up a considerable Catholic enclave in its time. Today the grouping still remains, though not in as greater numbers as it once did.

• Townscape

  Does the item have townscape value for the part it plays in defining a space or street; providing visual interest; its role as a landmark; or the contribution it makes to the character and sense of place of Wellington?

  The building has considerable townscape value and is a major landmark in the Thorndon area.

• Association

  Is the item associated with an important person, group, or organisation?

  The building is strongly, and primarily, associated with the Catholic Church.

• Association

  Is the item associated with an important historic event, theme, pattern, phase, or activity?

  The building is located on a site that has had an association with the Catholic Church for over 160 years. This Cathedral was constructed in 1901 and has a strong historic association with Catholic worship, and to a degree, Catholic education, and with the development of early Thorndon.

• Archaeological

  Does the item have archaeological value for its ability to provide scientific information about past human activity?

  The building may be deemed to be part of an archaeological site under the Historic Places Act (1993) due to the presence of pre 1900 buildings.

• Technological

  Does the item have technological value for its innovative or important construction methods or use of materials?

  There is some technological value in its use of concrete as the major building material at a time when stone masonry was the norm.

• Identity Sense Of Place Continuity

  Is the item a focus of community, regional, or national identity? Does the item contribute to sense of place or continuity?

  The Cathedral is a source of identity for Thorndon’s Catholic community, as they have continually used the church and the site for their place of worship for over a century. The building has had few intrusive modern alterations or additions (with the notable exception of the loss of the bell-towers) and contributes to the sense of place and continuity of Thorndon.

• Public Esteem

  Is the item held in high public esteem?

  The building is held in high esteem by the local Catholic, and architectural, communities.

• Sentiment Connection

  Is the item a focus of community sentiment and connection?

  The cathedral has been the site of traditional social ceremonies associated with the key events in the lives of its congregation. It will therefore form the focus of community sentiment and connection for many of its parishioners, and their friends and family.

• Symbolic Commemorative Traditional Spiritual

  Does the item have symbolic, commemorative, traditional, spiritual or other cultural value for the community who has used and continues to use it?

  The building has considerable value for religious, community, and historical reasons. That the Catholic Church has been associated with the site since the 1850s is a strong factor in this.

• Authentic

  Does the item have authenticity or integrity because it retains significant fabric from the time of its construction or from later periods when important additions or modifications were carried out?

  The building has retained authenticity in its 100 plus years of existence. Significant efforts have been undertaken in maintaining this.

• Local Regional National International

  Local/Regional/National/International Is the item important for any of the above characteristics at a local, regional, national, or international level?

  The Cathedral is important at a local, regional, and to a lesser degree, national, level as the Mother Church of the Archdiocese of Wellington and New Zealand, and is part of the Wellington Central Pastoral Area.

• Rare

  Is the item rare, unique, unusual, seminal, influential, or outstanding?

  The building is rare in that it is one of the few true basilica style churches in New Zealand.

Not assessed

• de Porres, Sister M, RSM. ‘Mercy Comes to Wellington: A History of St Mary's College’. Wellington: Sisters of Mercy, 2000.
• Evening Post. No date, 1962
• Kelly, Dan. On Golder’s Hill: A History of the Thorndon Parish. Wellington, circa 2001.
• Kelly M., “The Story of the Basilica is part of City’s History”. In Evening Post, 26/9/1970, and booklet. ‘Sacred Heart Parish, Wellington 125th anniversary’. November 1975.
• New Zealand Mail. 9/11/1899
• New Zealand Historic Places Trust. WRC Files. In ‘District Plan: Heritage Building – 40 Hill Street – Cathedral of the Sacred Heart’. Wellington City Council File No. 1041-06-HIL
• O’Meeghan, Michael. Steadfast in Hope: The Story of the Catholic Archdiocese of Wellington 1850-2000. Palmerston North: Dunmore Press, 2003.
• Phillips, Jock. 'Irish - The Catholic Church'. Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand. Updated 21 September 2012.
• Salmond Reed Architects Ltd. ‘Sacred Heart Cathedral: Hill Street, Wellington – Exterior Condition Assessment Report’. June 2010.
• Shaw, Peter. New Zealand Architecture. 1991.
• Wellington City Council. ‘Heritage’, in Wellington City District Plan Te Kaupapa Whenua o Poneke. Volume 1. September 2012.
• WCC archives – 00053:53:3370; 00053:130:7268.

• Inventory Report
• 1899 drawings
• 1903 drawings

Not available