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I am a fan of Winnie the Pooh? Are you? Like many so called children’s books, the ‘House at Pooh Corner’ is really a book for adults. Today on Trinity Sunday which for me is the climax of the Church’s festivals, I'd like to read the poignant ending from the ‘The House at Pooh Corner’. Christopher Robin is beginning to, as we say, ‘grow up'. And soon he will be going to school. It is a time of transition and change.... read more

Taranaki archaeologist Ivan Bruce (pictured above) is fully engrossed with the complex job he has been tasked with - to help understand the historic Taranaki Cathedral Church of St Mary and its grounds. You might say his work will be a labour of love. “It is a highly significant and historic church – you can’t just rip into it. I am keen to see the building and everything associated with it looked after because of its significance to Taranaki.” His... read more

The Very Reverend Dean Peter Beck is deeply passionate about leading the charge to restore Taranaki Cathedral Church of St Mary’s. His dream is to see the completed $15m project, named The Cathedral Project – A Taranaki Taonga, open its doors to all. “The cathedral will be a place of welcome for all faiths and none,” predicts Dean Peter, pictured above on the left with Archbishop Philip Richardson. “This building will have its way with you. I do sense the... read more

Acts 17.22-31; 1 Peter 3.13-22 ; John 14.15-21 May the words of my mouth and the thoughts of all our hearts be held within the loving purposes of God. If the apostle Paul were among us today, he might pop in and join us for a service here in church – but if this morning’s first reading is anything to go by, it’s more likely that Paul would be found having coffee and conversation in a local café, or standing on... read more

Taranaki Real Estate agent Robert Angus is one of the first substantial donors of The Cathedral Project. His association with St Mary’s spans a lifetime – he was baptised and confirmed in the historic church, and recalls his whole family attending services over decades. Recently his Mum Avis Angus was the key link, remembers Robert. “She was always giving to St Mary’s and loved and celebrated the church life. Dad was dragged along sometimes.” Says Robert. “It was a great community... read more

Taranaki videographer Keith Finnerty has filmed this video of the cathedral’s interior. Watch it above or here. The short visual walk-around reminds us of the beauty and serenity of the historic building – one of the top 50 sites to visit in New Zealand. It also helps to see parts of the church you would not normally view such as the very tops of the organ pipes and the soaring roof. Note that the video was filmed after the removal... read more

A new office and campaign manager are visible signs The Cathedral Project is gathering momentum. A temporary building has been lowered onto the site of the Taranaki Cathedral Church of St Mary to house an office and campaign manager Jan Mason. The Cathedral Project – A Taranaki Taonga is the name of the major campaign to raise funds and develop historic St Mary’s on Vivian St New Plymouth. The major focus is earthquake strengthening and reopening the 170-year-old stone church –... read more

This evening no doubt I will weep. Tomorrow, no doubt I will weep. I won’t be able to help myself. Yes of course I could just go through the motions of these services, and let them just flow over me. But I don’t want to do that. I want to enter into the Lord’s passion. What we are doing this night and over the next three days, the solemn triddium is recalling, calling to mind and to heart, the most important... read more

TĒNĀ KOUTOU KATOA my warmest greetings to you. No one saw the Resurrection. No one knows when it happened or how. There was no car chase. No government enquiry. No coverage on ‘Seven Sharp'. No body. read more

Two vigorous churchmen who walked immense distances during their ministries were key figures in the history of St Mary's: Bishop Selwyn, the first Anglican Bishop of New Zealand, and William Bolland, the first Vicar of St Mary's. In 1842 Bishop Selwyn reached the tiny settlement of New Plymouth after a walk from Thames during which he was delayed by floods and nearly starved. Only 31, he was an athlete who made extraordinary physical demands on himself and expected much from others.... read more