Commemorative Tower

From Wellington Cathedral of St Paul

The decision to complete the Cathedral, and raise the $6 million needed for it, was taken in 1992 by Synod, persuaded by Dean Michael Brown, with the support of Archbishop Brian Davis.

View of the cathedral from the grounds of Parliament

A further three bays were added to the nave, and a new and permanent narthex, porch and gallery built to replace the old. The temporary end to the building that overlooked Parliament was removed and replaced by the present window, with its 11-metre high Cross. The new plans included a vistor's centre, an office, and the Commemorative Tower. A room in the tower now holds the Cathedral's important collection of flags.

In 1957-58 Sir Edmund Hillary led the New Zealand section of the British Commonwealth Trans-Antarctic Expedition. The overall leader was Sir Vivian Fuchs and the two men shared world headlines while they battled through ice and snow from different directions to meet at the South Pole. Sir Edmund was the first to arrive and the papers carried a photograph of him standing at the South Pole holding a New Zealand flag attached to a stick. It is that flag which is pictured here.

The view from the Commemorative Tower

The Commemorative Tower foundation stone, unveiled by Queen Elizabeth II on November 5 1995, is inset into a pillar outside the Cathedral's main entrance.

The Cathedral's Consecration Stone was unveiled by Queen Elizabeth II, and blessed by the Right Reverend Dr. Thomas Brown, Tenth Bishop of Wellington on 24 February 2002.

Photos by Richard Apperley, 2009