As part of the Landmarks Project, this artwork called ‘Reflections’ was designed by Rhondda Greig. PLAN
42. SOUTH AISLE
We look back along the South aisle to the distant ambulatory. At right is the Landmarks Project, and there is another artwork on the column at left.
43. SOUTH WEST CORNER
We have now completed our circuit of the nave. The door at left leads to the Cathedral shop/office, and next to it is a model of the Cathedral. The central column in fact carries three interesting works of art.
44. LABYRINTHS
These three elaborate prayer tapestries each show a labyrinth. The paths bear various Christian words of encouragement added over 18 months by members of the congregation. The tapestries were an initiative of Dean Frank Nelson and his wife Christine. They carry themes of forgiveness, hope, and sacrificial, transforming love.
45. MODEL
Many cathedrals have a model showing their building in miniature, and St Paul’s is no exception. I find such models helpful, as they give an overview of what is often a complex structure.
46. NORTH AMBULATORY
To continue our exploration, we now cross over the nave to the opposie corner. This view of the North ambulatory is taken from near the Holm window. Close examination reveals two notice boards and some recessed photographs on the left, a couple of plaques on the right, and a glass cabinet in the distance at the top of the steps.
47. BOARD I
This board shows some early history of the Wellington Cathedral and Diocese, beginning right back in 1881.
48. BOARD II
Here is a continuation of the journey, with the planning, building and opening of the present Cathedral.
49. PLAQUES
On the opposite wall are memorial plaques commemorating the lives of two Registrars of the Wellington Diocese: Colonel Robert Neil Grove (1916 – 1999), and Lt Cdr Derek John Henry Steele R.N. (1928 – 1990). It apppears that there were two registrars in 1977–1978! Rachel Marshall Cox Grove is also remembered.
50. TRANSFER FROM OLD ST PAUL’S
These photographs are reminders of the transfer from Old St Paul’s to the new Cathedral. I imagine this was a difficult and challenging time for many, but also seen as an exciting moment of opportunity.
51. STOLE DISPLAY
Colourful robes and stoles are part of the joyous celebration of Christ in many cathedrals. Stoles come in four liturgical colours corresponding to seasons of church: white/gold for Easter, purple for Lent and Advent, Red for Pentecost, and green at other times. A deacon wears a stole over the left shoulder and tied at right; a priest hangs the stole straight down from around the neck.
52. LADY CHAPEL PLAQUE
At this point in our tour we come to the door through to the lady Chapel. We shall return here, but for now we notice that the original wooden church built in Paraparaumu in 1905 was moved to this site in 1991, and dedicated as the new Lady Chapel.
53. PAINTING
Nearby hangs this painting ‘Dead Christ Supported by Two Angels’, gifted to the Cathedral by Lord and Lady Freyberg in 1955. The artist is unknown, but the painting is Italian and dates from the 16th Century.
54. AMBULATORY CORNER
We come to the North East corner of the ambulatory with its windows and window seat. There is a glimpse of a display cabinet around the corner.
55. AMBULATORY WINDOWS
The ambulatory windows were designed by Beverley Shore Bennett and made by Roy Miller of Miller Studios, Dunedin. The pairs of windows are based round the ‘I am’ statements of Jesus. At left we have ‘I am the Bread of Life’, and at right ‘I am the Vine’, made explicit by the text. The pelican drawing blood from its breats has often been used to illustrate the sacrifice of Christ. These windows were installed in 1976.
56. VARIOUS STONES
I am often amused at the way cathedrals like to accumulate pieces of other cathedrals, but I have come to see the symbolism of unity and oneness of purpose expressed by this. The stones are often gifts from other cathedrals to mark significant occasions, such as consecration.
57. EAST AMBULATORY
What lies ahead? There is a pair of stained glass windows on the wall at left, and we might expect another pair back of the far window seat. On the right wall there appears to be a plaque this side of the cabinet.
58. EAST WINDOWS
This pair of windows has the theme ‘I am the Light of the world’. It is thought that the window was given in memory of an engineer (bridge builder) who had a connection with Madagascar – hence the symbolism of bridge and dodo.
59. CABINET AND PLAQUE
At left is a cabinet containing some miscellaneous old objects. We used to have a typewriter like this! At right is a memorial plaque to Cecil Walter Wood who was the architect of the first plans of this Cathedral. A number of significant people have their ashes interred in the walls of the Cathedral.
60. SOUTH EAST CORNER
At the South East corner of the ambulatory are some exit doors, and indeed, another pair of stained glass windows.