Spend some time in quiet contemplation, appreciating the way light pours in through the massive stained-glass façade of this spacious and modern cathedral.
Auckland’s Holy Trinity Cathedral is an awe-inspiring contemporary piece of architecture and an important place of worship for the city’s Anglican community. Visit the building for peaceful contemplation or attend a local event in the vast and light-filled nave, which is regularly used as a community function and events venue.
The cathedral was completed in 1995. It was incorporated into a historic site that has held importance to the local community since 1860, when it was the site of a former church. It currently stands alongside St. Mary’s Church, a pretty wooden Gothic-Revival structure that was completed in 1898. Note that the charming gables of the early wooden cathedral are echoed in the design of the modern cathedral complex.
Approach the magnificent Holy Trinity Cathedral via its tree-lined courtyard. The structure has a triple-peaked roofline and two main doorways. As you enter the cavernous nave, you’ll see a series of stained-glass windows on the eastern and western flanks. Cast your eyes up to admire the spacious and elegant design of the ridge-and-furrow roof.
As you turn around to face the rear window, you’ll be awed by the sheer enormity of the glass artwork. The spectacular window features Maori and Polynesian elements alongside European influences, with a central depiction of a risen Christ and a large flower. The brightly coloured Pacific motifs make this mesmerising window uniquely Kiwi.
Visit the Holy Trinity Cathedral during a Sunday service, for special events and concerts or simply to explore the site outside of service times. Private devotions can be conducted in the elegant Marsden Chapel, which is separated from the main nave by glass doors.
The Holy Trinity Cathedral is located in the Auckland suburb of Parnell, directly to the east of the Auckland CBD. There is a bus stop outside the adjacent St. Mary’s Church. The cathedral is open daily and some select evenings for special events. It is free to visit. While in the area, check out Hobson Bay to the east or the leafy Auckland Domain and the War Memorial Museum to the west.
