Grappling with Taranaki’s history – the delightful and the devastating – is motivating a series of historical gatherings called Our Shared Story. Rob Green, Rob Baigent-Ritchie and Ailsa Claridge will lead the monthly workshops at the cathedral, open to the public, with the first one having got underway. From left: Rob Baigent-Ritchie, Revd. Ailsa Claridge, and Rob Green. As well as introducing people to different parts of our history, it’s also hoped the project will unearth family stories and documents. Rob... read more

St Mary's parishioner Rosemary Bent has inspired members of the Association of Anglican Women and Mothers' Union in Aotearoa and Pasifika with her work in Overseas and Outreach. This year she received a certificate of recognition from the AAW executive. Born in England, Rosemary came to New Zealand in 1962, and met her husband Michael when she was working for the Christian Mission Service. The couple lived in New Plymouth during Michael's term as Vicar of St Mary's (1976-85), and later... read more

The Ellmoos family, 'first timers ' at our Taranaki Cathedral cafe enjoying a hearty breakfast. Over the last three years we have raised over $61,000 for projects in NZ and overseas which support the most marginalised people. Now we are supporting Rahingya refugees who have fled to Bangladesh. Thank you everyone! Every Tuesday from 7.30 am to 10 AM in the Hatherly Hall of the cathedral. read more

Several developments at St Mary's took place during the tenure (1898-1910) of the third Vicar, Frank George Evans, who succeeded the long-serving Archdeacon Henry Govett. Evans arrived in New Zealand from England in 1879, and was ordained priest in 1883. After serving on the North Shore and at Te Aroha he became vicar of St Mary's in 1898, and married his second wife, Miss Louisa Govett, daughter of Archdeacon Govett. Evans saw the main porch of St Mary's completed. Gas lighting... read more

From 25th September, the proceeds from the Taranaki Cathedral Community Café on Tuesday mornings will be given to the World Vision appeal for Rohingya Refugees. Over 420,000 Rohingya refugees have fled to Bangladesh since August 2017. After escaping from violence in their villages in Myanmar, they are arriving traumatised, exhausted and hungry. Most have walked for days through jungles and across mountains, rivers and vast rice fields to reach safety. World Vision teams are on the ground in Bangladesh - they... read more

When the first Vicar of St Mary's, William Bolland, died in 1847, his cousin The Revd Henry Govett was appointed as his successor. His fruitful ministry was to last 50 years. Govett walked immense distances over Māori tracks to visit all parts of his huge parish, holding services in districts as far apart as Opunake and Waitara. Like Bolland, Govett was an Oxford graduate who had come to New Zealand to seek adventure. He found New Plymouth an isolated community. In... read more

Taranaki Cathedral has been identified as a priority historic building under the extension of a fund that promises an additional $30 million for earthquake prone buildings. On Saturday Prime Minister Bill English announced the increase to the Regional Culture and Heritage Fund (RCHF), spread over four years, as well as the inclusion for the first time of historic churches and places of worship “that are central parts of the community's character". Church leaders hailed the announcement as a lifeline for... read more

Retired journalist Mark Birch has been trawling through the St Mary’s archives and published booklets. These are one view of history, often written for a particular time and context. Through the Cathedral Project we hope to tell more of our church and regional stories. These profiles are a start. Well before the completion of St Mary's Church in 1846, parishioner John Lye was busy getting the building and grounds in order – and as soon as the church was opened he... read more