St Mary of the Angels

• 1919
• Church (00053:197:10874)
• 1950
• Reinstate church (00056:395:B30376)
• 1990
• Structural upgrading (00059:376:E19886)

• 1922
• St Mary of the Angels church

Not assessed

St Mary of the Angels is a fine example of late Gothic Revival church architecture, designed with a distinct perpendicular emphasis, and constructed in reinforced concrete. The architect, Frederick de Jersey Clere, was, at the time of design, the pre-eminent architect in Wellington, specialising in ecclesiastical architecture.

The main facade is apparently modelled on the Cathedral church of St Michael and St Gudula in Brussels, and therefore takes its inspiration directly from medieval sources. However, the use of steel-reinforced concrete has allowed the architect to achieve particularly delicate proportions which traditional masonry construction, for reasons of structural stability, would have forbidden.

This is particularly evident in the slender open tracery and pinnacles in the two towers flanking the high gabled wall of the church. The rose window, too, is rich in delicate tracery, and this traditional element remains a central focus on the main facade. St Mary of the Angels is also a good representative example of the innovative use of reinforced concrete construction

Extensive interior and exterior renovation was planned and carried out from 1985-1988. New floor coverings were laid inside, new lighting installed, and the interior was cleaned and painted. A carpeted area, with seating and a small altar, was formed by St Joseph’s sanctuary, on the left side of the church.

Reinforced concrete foundations, structure, floors & stairs

External wall brick cladding set between rendered concrete elements – note that the original ‘stucco’ or render colour may have been ‘Oxford Oxide’

Pitched roofs are clad in copper (c.1985 – 1988) with perhaps the original Welsh slate roof under, all on timber structure

Flat roofs are reinforced concrete clad in asphalt

Totara doors, Jarrah exposed internal timber.

The church is perched on the hillside between The Terrace and Willis Street and is accessed via Boulcott Street. The skyline has changed since it was first built and today it is now surrounded by modern high rise buildings. Below it, on the corner of Willis and Boulcott Street stands the Hotel St George (1929) while to the north, directly across Boulcott Street, stands the Majestic Tower building (1991). Despite now being overshadowed by these, the church still remains visually impressive, especially when viewed directly from the corner of Willis and Manners Streets.

• 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?

  St Mary of the Angels is a fine example of a late Gothic Revival-style church and was designed by Frederick de Jersey Clere, who was the leading ecclesiastical architect in New Zealand at the time of its construction. Clere was known for his use of reinforced concrete and he used this material with great skill to construct the delicate proportions of this church. The building is notable for these fine proportions, for its exterior form and detail, and for the elegance of its Gothic interior.

• 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 church is a local landmark and is situated on a prominent elevated site above the intersection of Manners Street, Willis Street and Boulcott Streets.

• Association

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

  The site of St Mary of the Angels has considerable historical significance, as it was the place where Wellington’s first Catholic Church was built in 1843. St Mary’s is the third church to be built on the site. The site and the church are associated with people and events of local historical significance, notably Fr Jeremiah O’Reily who was the first Catholic priest in Wellington, and the Society of Marist priests.

• Archaeological

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

  The building is located in the Central City archaeological site reference NZAA R27/270.

• Technological

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

  The building is a relatively early example of reinforced concrete construction and is notable for the delicate proportions of the open tracery, the fine rose window and the detailing of the towers that may have been difficult to achieve in traditional stone or brick masonry.

• 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 building is an enduring landmark on Boulcott and Willis Streets and makes a strong contribution to the sense of place and continuity of its site and the streetscape. The church also provides a sense of identity and continuity to the Wellington Catholic community who have been associated with this prime, inner-city, site for over 170 years.

• Public Esteem

  Is the item held in high public esteem?

  The building is held in high public esteem.

• Sentiment Connection

  Is the item a focus of community sentiment and connection?

  The building has been a place of worship since 1922 and continues to be associated with the key events in the life of members of the congregation including the births, marriages, deaths of individuals. It is a centre of community sentiment for this reason.

• 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?

  St Mary of the Angels has spiritual significance for a large number of people, not just the Catholic community, and it continues in active and full use today.

• 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?

  Although it has undergone some modifications over the past 90 years the church has retained a significant amount of its original fabric.

• Rare

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

  The building is a relatively rare example of a fine Gothic Revival church constructed in reinforced concrete by one of the leading ecclesiastic architects of the day.

• Importance

  Is the item important for any of the above characteristics at a local, regional, national, or international level?

  The building is important on a local level, for although it is not the seat of the Archbishop of Wellington, it plays an important role in the life of Wellington’s Catholic community and is an iconic landmark for the wider Wellington community.

Not assessed

• Bowman, Ian. ‘St Mary of the Angels Conservation Plan.’ Wellington: Wellington City Council, 1994.
• Kelly, Michael. ‘St. Mary of the Angels.’ Unpublished report prepared for Wellington City Council. 1998.
• New Zealand Historic Places Trust Professional Biographies. Frederick de Jersey Clere. Accessed 2 August 2012.
• Shaw, P. & R. Morrison. New Zealand Architecture. Auckland: Hodder & Stoughton, 1991.
• St Mary of the Angels. Accessed 2 August 2012.
• Wellington City Council. ‘17 Boulcott Street.’ Wellington Heritage Building Inventory 2001: Non-Residential Buildings. Wellington City Council, 2001. BOUL2.
• Archives: ‘17 Boulcott Street, church.’ 09 May 1919. 00053:197:10874.

• Inventory Report
• 1919 specifications and plans

Not available