61. SS JOSEPH & PATRICK

On either side of the sanctuary stand statues of St Joseph and St Patrick – co-patrons of the Cathedral. These hand-carved wooden statues are by Anton Dapre, London 1937. [46]    PLAN

62. EAST ROSE WINDOW

This attractive rose window sits high in the Eastern gable.     

63. OLARIUM AND SACRARIUM

At left the carved wooden olarium (Place of the Holy Oils) now displays the Book of Gospels, 2007. [19] At right is the sacrarium. This marble sink has been restored and contains the Sisters of Mercy ‘Aroha’ bronze marquette. [23]

64. EAST WINDOWS

Behind the sanctuary are two stained glass windows. To the North, the Ascension Window depicts the Ascension of Christ. It is by Alex Booker, Bruges c1907. [20] To the South is the Assumption Window. By the same artist it depicts the Assumption of Mary. [22]

65. BLESSED SACRAMENT CHAPEL

Immediately behind the sanctuary is the small Blessed Sacrament Chapel. The carved plinth below the Tabernacle chest was a gift from the people of Hokianga c1985. [21]

66. AROHA SCULPTURE

Our eyes are drawn to the exquisite ‘Aroha’ sculpture of the Holy Family by Gael O’Leary, 2007. ‘Aroha’ in Maori means ‘love’. The sculpture honours the Pioneer Sisters of Mercy.

67. TABERNACLE

Prominent in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel is the shining gold Tabernacle in which the reserved elements of the Eucharist are kept. The top depicts a stylized Cross with symbols Alpha and Omega on either side.

68. CRUCIFIX

The focal point of the Cathedral is this wooden crucifix by Anton Dapre, London 1937. It points to Christ as the centre of faith and belief. [21] This completes our tour of St Patrick’s Cathedral.

69. EARLY HISTORY, 1841

The British flag was hoisted in Auckland on September 18, 1840. Bishop Pompallier travelled to the new capital and applied for land, resulting in the granting of the present St Patrick’s site on June 1, 1841.

70. STONE CATHEDRAL

A wooden church named after St Joseph and St Patrick was erected in 1843. This was replaced by a larger stone church in 1948, and later in that year the stone church was consecrated and became the nation’s first cathedral church.

71. EXPANDED CATHEDRAL

The population and congregaton continued to grow and in 1884 a nave and tower addition was made to the stone church. The new expanded cathedral was opened in 1885.

72. AS TODAY

By the turn of the century the Cathedral was once again found to be inadequate, so the stone church was demolished, and the present Cathedral building was formalluy dedicated in 1908. There was a major refurbishment between 2005 and 2007.