Catholic Church reveals design for new Christchurch Cathedral

Sunday, 26 July 2026

The plans for a new $80 million Christchurch Cathedral have been reveled.

Sixteen years after devastating earthquakes reshaped the city the Catholic Diocese of Christchurch revealed plans for a new Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament.

In a pastoral letter read at Masses throughout the region, Bishop Michael Gielen launched the official fundraising campaign to bring the new cathedral to life.

Funding for the project relies on a mix of existing assets and community support.

Gielen reflected on the connection between today's Catholic community and the pioneers who built the original structure over 120 years ago under Christchurch's first bishop, John Grimes.

'Our Catholic communities have changed in the decades since Bishop Grimes led our Diocese, but our desire for beauty, for welcome and for honouring God has not,' Bishop Gielen said.

Following public consultation, the diocese confirmed the cathedral will return to its traditional historic home on Barbadoes Street, retaining its original name.

Over the past two years, architectural firm Warren and Mahoney has been working alongside diocesan leaders to craft a modern design that honours the past while meeting the needs of the present.

The sanctuary at the new Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament

The total budget for the project is set at $80 million, combining an emphasis on financial prudence and sustainable construction with the community's aspiration for dignity and architectural beauty.

The development will feature an 800-seat main cathedral, an attached Perpetual Adoration chapel, and the Te Rangimarie community centre capable of hosting up to 300 people. Landscaping, parking, and associated infrastructure are also included in the overall budget.

Funding for the project relies on a mix of existing assets and community support. Roughly $45 million will come directly from insurance proceeds and the sale of diocesan property.

Of the remaining $35 million needed through fundraising, more than $19 million has already been raised through parish pledges, clergy contributions, and donations from across New Zealand and other faith traditions.

Campaign lead Tony Brazier confirmed that once half of the remaining $16 million target is secured, the diocese will move forward with final preparations for construction, ensuring the project maintains financial integrity before ground is broken.

For local parishioners, the project represents a chance to leave a lasting legacy for future generations. Bishop Gielen noted that many families take deep pride in knowing their ancestors helped fund the original mother church, and today’s faithful now have the opportunity to answer that same call.