New Zealand’s first new Catholic cathedral in 120 years unveiled in Christchurch

The Diocese of Christchurch has unveiled the design of its new Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament, set to become the first Catholic cathedral built in New Zealand in more than 120 years, and launched the public campaign to fund the 80-million New Zealand dollar (about $46 million) project.

The 800-seat cathedral will rise on Barbadoes Street in central Christchurch, the site of the 1905 original that was demolished in 2020 after suffering irreparable damage in the earthquakes that struck the Canterbury region in 2010 and 2011, killing 185 people and damaging more than half of the diocese’s 68 churches.

A rendering shows the interior of the planned Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament in Christchurch, New Zealand, unveiled on July 26, 2026. | Credit: Warren and Mahoney/Catholic Diocese of Christchurch

Bishop Michael Gielen announced the launch in a pastoral letter read at Masses across the diocese on Sunday, July 26. The 11th bishop of Christchurch said today’s Catholic faithful carry the “responsibility” and “privilege” first shouldered by Bishop John Grimes, who built the original cathedral.

“Our Catholic communities have changed in the decades since Bishop Grimes led…