New Funding kickstarts Restoration of Old St Paul's
New Zealand Historic Places Trust Information Release
29 May 2008
A detailed programme of conservation and restoration is underway at Wellington's
Old St Paul's Cathedral, thanks to an overwhelming show of support from
new funders and loyal friends.
After years of merely being able to maintain the historic building, work
has begun in earnest on long overdue restoration projects, according to
Marie Gillies, Property Manager of Old St Paul's in Wellington.
"We are extremely grateful to the select group of new funders who
made this leap possible," Ms Cox says. "Their response was immediate
and enthusiastic from the moment we made our approach. It confirms for
us that Old St Paul's continues to hold a special place in the hearts
of Wellingtonians from all walks of life."
Generous grants from Lottery Grants Board, the Community Trust of Wellington
and Wellington City Council have allowed restoration work to begin. The
immediate programme of work includes restoration and conservation of the
Carr window funded by Wellington City Council; further window work, restoration
of some interior woodwork and repair of a pew front and prayer stool funded
by Lottery Grants Board; and more carpet and other flooring to protect
the historic floorboards funded by the Community Trust of Wellington.
Recent visitors to the cathedral have enjoyed the rare opportunity of
watching a specialised window conservation technique taking place. Master
craftsman Olaf Wehr-Candler of Pukerua Glass Studio has painstakingly
repaired the Carr Window, a beautiful example of 19th century stained
glass depicting the Saints Cecilia and Catherine.
The window was placed as a dedication to the memory of Edith Carr by
her husband A. Stanley Carr. Edith's parents lived in Hobson St, so she
likely grew up in close proximity to Old St Paul's.
The window was commissioned from the Meyer Company in Munich, Germany,
a company famous for creating many of the stained glass windows in Catholic
churches around the world. New Zealand examples are the altar window at
Sacred Heart in Petone, and windows in St Mary of the Angels in Boulcott
Street, and the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in Hill Street, Thorndon.
Old St Paul's is one of New Zealand's most important heritage places.
It serves as a venue for celebrating life events, last year hosting 90
weddings and 58 funerals. It also hosts arts and culture events, tourists
and tour operators, school visits and university students - particularly
those studying architecture. Tourists, some 85,000 of whom visited the
Cathedral last year, regularly record that it is a highlight of their
visit to Wellington. It provides Wellingtonians with lunchtime music concerts
and a moment's respite in a busy day.
Marie Gillies says the new funding finally allows the cathedral to get
stuck into the bigger restoration and conservation projects waiting to
be tackled.
"We can now plan ahead outside repairs to the roof and fence and
further conserve the timber work inside the building. Now we can really
begin to restore this jewel in Wellington's crown."
For more information
Marie Gillies
Property Manager
Tel: 04 473 6728
Email: ospmanager@historic.org.nz
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