Blog

Mele Prescott boasts a Tongan background but it’s the Pakeha branch of the Anglican Church she’s starting her ‘apprenticeship’ in. She began as curate and Youth Enabler at the end of November this year, the first time Taranaki Cathedral has had a person in such a position, in recent history. Mele comes to Taranaki from St John’s Theological College in Auckland where she completed her three-year study. Born to Tongan parents who migrated to NZ in the 1970s, she grew up... read more

As a teenager kicked out of home, Ugandan woman Lillian Nakabiri wanted to poison herself. Her family didn’t want her, life was characterised by loneliness and poverty and killing herself seemed the only answer. In despair, she started reading letters she’d received over the years as a sponsored child. “I wanted to die happy, reading them. They gave me joy,” she told hundreds of school students in a moving talk about her early years. The written words from her Australian sponsor... read more

After five years of “living a life of heartbreak and hope”, Dan and Mai Lander have swapped the streets of Kolkata (formerly Calcutta) for a ministry closer to home. The couple and their two young boys, Bobby (almost 4) and Thom (2), recently returned to New Zealand from India, where they had been living with and helping some of the world’s poorest and oppressed people. Dan’s parents, John and Angela Lander, attend St Mary’s, and Dan was keen to return to... read more

Mary and Ailsa. Two different women. One more famous than the other – but with parallels between the pair. The ordination to priesthood of Ailsa Claridge took place on Sunday August 14 in a 7pm service at the Interim Cathedral in the Peace Hall, New Plymouth. It coincided with the patronal festival, the Feast day of Mary, mother of Jesus. In his sermon, Dean Peter Beck noted a connection between the ordination of a woman on the day Mary’s significance to... read more

Taranaki Cathedral’s earthquake strengthening and remediation is expected to cost between $8-10 million, according to a preliminary report. Cathedral Dean, the Very Revd Peter Beck, said the church community is pleased to receive the quantity surveyors report, which provides certainty as well as a ballpark amount with which to approach funders. “This is an early estimate – but it gives the cathedral and the Taranaki community something to work with. Already there are individuals and organisations interested in contributing to fundraising... read more

Significant funding has enabled Taranaki Cathedral Church of St Mary to appoint a local architect as its Cathedral Remediation and Design Manager. Jenny Goddard, a New Plymouth architect with an interest in heritage buildings, took up the new position on August 1. Her appointment follows a grant of $80,000 from the TSB Community Trust as well as $50,000 from the General Trust Board of the Anglican Church of Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia. The historic church building on Vivian St was... read more

Catherine and Mike Whaley have been part of the Holy Trinity community for 13 years. Together they are leading the charge in growing groups for children and young people. They explain what’s taking place at the New Plymouth church. Sunday groups Humungous Love Club is for preschool to primary age children. Led by Catherine the group listens to stories, prays & makes stuff. Usually it's something to take home. “We are always talking about how God loves us and how we... read more

We have moved - at least for a temporary period - but we're open for business just like we have been for years. The Taranaki Cathedral Church of St Mary began worshipping in an interim space in February 2016. That is because our beloved historic building needs to be earthquake strengthened. Detailed assessments have determined that the stone church requires key structural work and the last service was held there on 31 January 2016. While we establish the scope and cost... read more

Anne Knox’s appointment as Associate to the Dean in 2011 came “out of the blue.” Involved in the Baptist Church for many years in a variety of leadership roles, the Anglican approach from Dean Jamie and Archbishop Philip Richardson (then Bishop of Taranaki) was a surprise. After all, this former police inspector was well ensconced in the Central Baptist Church, and busy with roles such as coordinating security at the 2011 Rugby World Cup and at Womad. However, she mulled it... read more

We're moving - at least, for a temporary period. The Taranaki Cathedral Church of St Mary will be worshipping in an interim worship space in the New Year. That's because our beloved historic building needs to be earthquake strengthened. Detailed assessments have determined that the stone church requires key structural work. The last service will be held there on 31 January 2016. While we establish what that work will involve and the likely cost, we will be relocating to another building.... read more