Blog

Ensuring visitors to Taranaki Cathedral are given a warm welcome is behind an initiative to monitor the temperature and humidity in New Zealand’s oldest stone church. Two sensors have been placed in the cathedral – one inside the entrance of the church and another near the altar – and will gather data on temperature and humidity variances. A third has been positioned outside the church as a comparison. The Taranaki Cathedral Project remediation and design manager Jenny Goddard says the aim... read more

In 2010 I went to Israel to study at St George’s College. Part of our course took us on a trip up the winding, narrow road to the top of Mt Tabor and to the Franciscan church marking the site on which the Transfiguration took place. Mt Tabor is no higher than the Kaitake’s but it commands a view across the plains to the sea of Galilee and on that day was bathed in such hot clear sunlight that it was... read more

Bishop Philip Richardson has announced that Revd. Ross Falconer is to be the third Dean of Taranaki read more

Following the reception of a Detailed Seismic Assessment (DSA) which rated the strength of the building at only 15% of current building code, the trustees of St Mary's Anglican Church in Hawera have declared the building closed immediately (as of Saturday 17 February). The foundation stone for this church was laid on the 8th of September 1902 by Bishop Wallis. The church was opened with a series of services on the 1st of July 1903. Evensong featured a sermon by Archdeacon... read more

Well, that’s what we are working to find out. Dr Dmytro Dizhur and assistant Dr Marta Giaretton were on site for three days in January investigating the makeup of our stone walls. Using a combination of techniques, the aim was to gain a lot more information on the properties of our unreinforced masonry walls. This is no simple matter as Taranaki Cathedral has walls of many different ages. The oldest wall erected in 1846 is to the left of the old... read more

Isaiah 42 vs 1-9; Ephesians 2 vs 13-18; Luke 2 vs9-14 Waitangi day is near and today’s readings reflect this. Isaiah speaks of a covenant of the people; and in Ephesians we hear of the time when both are made one and a wall of partition is broken down because: “…in his flesh he has abolished our enmity”. It’s as if the Colonial Secretary Lord Normanby [in London] and then Governor Hobson, his secretary James Freeman and the Resident James Busby,... read more

As the year turns we look forward to what we hope will become some of the highlights of 2018: Dean Peter is offering a six week series during Lent for any adults who would like to consider being confirmed in their faith. Confirmation is performed by the Bishop, as he lays his hands on your head and confirm in you the faith that is deepening and growing in you. Bishop Philip will be with us on Easter Sunday and this is... read more

In their time, John and Jesus stand out because they’re not easily understood by the establishment; and this worries the ones in power. Modern day social commentator [Banksy] wryly reassures anyone who stands out: “You are an acceptable level of threat. If you were not, you would know about it.” In the gospel reading today, when asked by the puzzled authorities if he is Elijah or perhaps even the Messiah, John the Baptist replies firmly that he is not. Versions of... read more

Thousands of crepes, truckloads of bread, marmalade by the mountain and innumerable volunteer hours have created a flourishing breakfast community. The Community Café at Taranaki Cathedral notched up its third year in November 2017, having raised $61,377 for charity. It’s a Tuesday morning event, opening at 7.30am and closing 10am. Dozens of volunteers wait on and clear tables, others set up, pack down, cook and wash dishes. The money is distributed to a variety of causes; the current one being the... read more

Revd. Tricia Carter reflects on the 40th anniversary of the Ordination of Women On the first Sunday in Advent we celebrated the 40th anniversary of the ordination of women to the priesthood in the Anglican Church of Aotearoa, New Zealand and the Pacific. On 3 December 1977 the Bishop of Auckland ordained Jean Brooks, Wendy Cranston and Heather Brunton to the priesthood and in doing so we joined only three other provinces within the Anglican communion to ordain women. As we... read more