More Than Just a Building
The process of designing the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament has unfolded over more than two years. People across the Diocese have shared their hopes for our new Mother Church – the lay faithful, mana whenua, our cultural groups, our consecrated religious and our clergy. Bishop Michael and a small group of advisers representing those communities prayed and discerned with those aspirations, creating a design brief for the Cathedral precinct.
In partnership with the Cathedral’s architects, Warren and Mahoney, the following key attributes for our spiritual home were developed to guide the building’s construction, with a focus on how it will contribute to the life of the city, the Diocese and the country.
BLESSED SACRAMENT AT THE HEART
Whakapono
This Cathedral will stand as a timeless symbol of hope and faith. The site will be Christchurch’s sanctuary – where God’s presence dwells. This design response is centred on prayer, worship and Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, inviting the faithful into a deeper participation in the life of
the Church through Christ’s constant presence. This will be an identifiable Mother Church for the Diocese that is contextually and culturally grounded in Ōtautahi and Aotearoa.
WELCOMING, OPEN & ENGAGING
Manaakitanga
This will be a welcoming place of worship for generations of Catholics to gather as one with the Bishop. As a witness to our Catholic traditions and mission, this precinct will give testimony to the Faith. The outcome will provide spaces for solace, social interaction and understanding, making space for our patron, St John the Baptist, and diocesan stories. This intergenerational outcome will honour the history of the Church and the whakapapa (history) of the land.
A GENEROUS WITNESS OF FAITH
Ahikaroa
This will be a connected living precinct, on fire with faith. We will build our Cathedral and thereafter our Cathedral will build us – anchoring a vibrant precinct, rooted in the Diocese’s mission, that will nurture connections with schools and the broader community. The spiritual experience will extend beyond the Cathedral; the precinct shall be seen as a place of hope and a magnet for people of all faiths.
PRUDENT & COST EFFICIENT
Rangatiratanga
The Cathedral precinct will strike a balance between grandeur and budget-conscious design.
The entire project team will manage costs effectively throughout the project lifecycle, seeking opportunities for reuse, shared facilities, economic construction and efficiencies of scale.
ENDURING, FAITHFUL STEWARDSHIP
Kaitiakitanga
Our Cathedral will prioritise low-maintenance, cost-efficient operations through durable, dignified and cost-effective materials that minimise upkeep. The outcome will integrate visionary design with financial prudence and practical implementation, embedding the principles of Laudato Si’ where possible. The precinct will be regenerative and future-focused, while also demonstrating clear financial viability and responsible stewardship of resources.
