Christ Church Cathedral to open for visitors this Christmas

Thursday, 28 November 2024

Christ Church Cathedral will welcome group visits next month, with visitors greeted by a 10m steel City Mission Christmas tree in the nave.

It would be a Christmas miracle to see the Christ Church Cathedral open any time soon after the project was mothballed three months ago.

But it will open its doors next month to allow visitors a glimpse inside and see the 10m steel City Mission Christmas Tree, reigniting old traditions to leave a gift under it.

Christchurch Dean Ben Truman said the visits were about bringing people back into their cathedral after a hard year for many, including the building itself.Cathedral It was the opportune time to come together and look forward positively to a better new year, he said.

“Going inside the cathedral at Christmas will mean so much to many Christchurch people who will remember visiting it in the past and leaving gifts for children in need under the City Mission tree.

Christchurch Dean Ben Truman says the visits were about bringing people together again in the special place. (File photo)

“We are bringing a cherished tradition back to life and reminding everyone of the important part our cathedral has in our city’s traditions.”

Embedded in a beam high up inside the cathedral is a hook that used to hold up the traditional large pine City Mission tree of the past.

Today’s modern steel tree was built in 2020 and its spiralling parallel helix design will be placed near this original site.

Christchurch City Missioner Corinne Haines said she was delighted that the tree had found a worthy and historic home this Christmas.

Christchurch city missioner Corinne Haines is delighted the tree will be displayed at the cathedral this Christmas.

“Our tree was installed in Cashel Mall for two years but there were security concerns in that public space and the costs of installation there meant we have not installed the tree for a couple of years,” she said.

“Being sited within the cathedral solves those problems and I am excited it will be back, this time in our city’s beautiful cathedral. I like how visitors can follow the past tradition of leaving a gift under the tree.”

Opening the cathedral and erecting and lighting the tree has been achieved at no cost to Christ Church Cathedral Reinstatement Limited, or the City Mission, thanks to the support of Christchurch businesses.

Naylor Love, Protranz, Accessman, Antony & Mates, Mitre 10 Canterbury, Holmes Solutions, HW Hendriks Sons & Daughter, Isaac Construction and The Light Site contributed towards the effort.

The Twelve Days of Christmas event offers bookings for up to 50 visitors at a time on weekdays from December 3 - 18, requiring a donation of at least $25 to go towards the Christchurch City Mission.

Bookings are essential and can be made online here.

Gifts and non-perishable donations are still welcomed to be dropped to the Transitional Cathedral.