Post-Quake Decisions
The decisions that led to the demolition of the Basilica
Jennie Meuldijk
Credit: Jocelyn Kinghorn, 25 February 2012. Source: QuakeStudies.
The Catholic community faced a tough decision in the months following the February earthquakes. In August, insurance for the Basilica was cancelled alongside Christchurch’s Arts Centre. Decisions hung in the air for several years, delayed further by the death of Bishop Barry Jones in 2016. Following the ordination of Bishop Paul Martin in March 2018 as the new Catholic Bishop in Christchurch, plans were revealed in November for the potential demolition of the Basilica and for a new Cathedral to be built at a different site.
Bishop Paul Martin’s decision to demolish the Basilica came as a shock to many, following the previous Bishop’s original decision of restoration. By this stage, however, the option to restore the original building was estimated to cost $105 million, and Bishop Paul Martin believed that cost would increase. On 4 August 2019 the decision to demolish the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament was confirmed. This was met with pushback: many parishioners were distraught at the idea of demolishing this treasure of Christchurch and of the Catholic Community.
Demolition of the Catholic Cathedral was undertaken in 2020, and plans for a new Cathedral were underway, this time at a new location more central to the city. Bishop Martin had purchased land near Victoria Square, with the expectation that the new Cathedral would be completed by 2025.
Credit: Jocelyn Kinghorn, 25 February 2012. Source: QuakeStudies.
Throughout this process, an overall lack of noise and greater public interest around this Category I heritage building prompted disappointment and criticism, particularly in comparison to Christchurch's other historical cathedral: while interest was taken to preserve the Anglican Cathedral in Cathedral Square, the Catholic Cathedral was instead approved to be demolished. Longstanding tension between the Anglican and Catholic communities can be traced back to the originals plans for the Basilica and pushback from the Anglican community, who did not want a Catholic Cathedral built so close to Christchurch central.
In 2020, a group of parishioners continued to challenge the demolition, questioning the manner in which the Bishop finalised this decision; a letter of appeal reached as far as the Vatican. In 2022, the fate of the Catholic Cathedral changed hands once more when Bishop Michael Gielen was appointed as the new Bishop of Christchurch, following Bishop Paul Martin's appointment as the Archbishop of Wellington. By 2024, it was announced that the new Cathedral would be built on the same grounds as the previous.
Seven possible names were shortlisted for the new Christchurch Catholic cathedral; this process involved community input via an online survey. In late 2024, it was announced that the new Catholic Cathedral would share the previous Cathedral's name as well as land: the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament - Te Hāhi Matua o te Hākarameta Tapu Rawa.
Credit: Jocelyn Kinghorn, 25 February 2012. Source: QuakeStudies.
Demolishing the Basilica:
- Catholic community faces tough decision over Cathedral, Morning Report, RNZ, 16 June 2011 - Audio report: The Catholic Basilica in Christchurch was further damaged in Monday's earthquake making its demolition all but inevitable.
- Insurance cancelled for landmark Chch buildings, Checkpoint, RNZ, 23 August 2011 - Audio report: Insurance cover has been cancelled for Christchurch's historic Arts Centre and its Catholic Cathedral which were both badly damaged in the February earthquake.
- Chch Basilica moves to save the nave, Sally Murphy, RNZ, 1 September 2015 - The Christchurch Catholic Diocese has been granted permission to take down parts of its earthquake-damaged Basilica, in order to restore parts of the building.
- Catholics eye central city site for possible new Christchurch cathedral, Charlie Gates, Stuff, 20 November 2018 - The article details Bishop Paul Martin discussing potential decisions for the Basilica, including images of the damage the building has suffered.
- Bishop chooses demolition for Christchurch's historic Catholic cathedral, Charlie Gates, Stuff, 4 August 2019 - This article outlines Bishop Paul Martin’s decision to demolish the Basilica, accompanied with a video interview of him discussing that decision.
- Christchurch cathedral damaged in quake to be demolished, RNZ, 4 August 2019 - A brief announcement about the decisions to demolish the Basilica.
- Bishop announces plans to demolish Catholic Cathedral, Newsline, Christchurch City Council, 5 August 2019 - The announcement of Bishop Paul Martin’s decision to demolish the Basilica.
- Heavy machinery tackles demolition of 105-year-old cathedral, RNZ, 3 December 2020 - This article details the demolition process and includes a video of a crane at work demolishing the front of the Basilica.
Community Responses:
- Nisbet, Alastair, 1958- :"What about me... it isn't fair... I've had enough and I want my share..." 9 August 2012, Alexander Turnbull Library, CEISMIC, 2012 - A cartoon depiction of both the Anglican Christ Church Cathedral and the Catholic Cathedral / Basilica. Repairing the Christchurch Anglican cathedral appeared to draw focus and resources from the equally historic and damaged Catholic Cathedral.
- Architect fights to preserve Christchurch Catholic Cathedral, Morning Report, RNZ, 7 August 2019 - Audio interview: Dr Anna Crighton, an architect and art historian is setting up an action group to oppose the demolition of one of the most well-known churches in Christchurch, the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament.
- “Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament, Barbadoes Street, Christchurch” Restore Our Catholic Cathedral Media Release, Restore our Catholic Cathedral (RoCC) Group, Historic Places Aotearoa: The Voice of Heritage for New Zealand, 3 September 2020 - This in-depth media release details the decisions of both Bishop Barry Jones and Bishop Paul Martin regarding the fate of the Basilica, accompanied by the public’s criticisms of Bishop Paul Martin’s decision.
- A Tale of Two Churches, by Sally Blundell, North & South, February 2021 - This detailed article traces the differences between the Anglican Christ Church Cathedral and the Catholic Cathedral / Basilica of the Blessed Sacrament. This article focuses especially on the differences in costs to restore both cathedrals, the decisions both cathedrals underwent, and the support given by the public and those in authority.
- How Christchurch got sucked into an eye-wateringly expensive cathedral rebuild, David Williams, 10 April 2024 - This article discusses the decisions to rebuild the Anglican Christ Church Cathedral, while the Catholic Cathedral has been demolished.
The new Catholic Cathedral:
- Vatican action halts Christchurch's Catholic cathedral building plan, Liz McDonald, Stuff, 30 March 2023 - This article discusses the Vatican’s decision to halt Bishop Paul Martin’s plans for building a new Cathedral in the Christchurch Central.
- Christchurch's new Catholic cathedral will be built on same site as last one, RNZ, 21 April 2024 - An article announcing the change in decision to rebuild the new Catholic Cathedral on the original site at Barbadoes Street.
- Major U-turn as site of Christchurch Catholic cathedral rebuild announced, Laura Frykberg, 1 News, 21 April 2024 - A brief article outlining Bishop Michael Gielen’s decision to keep the new Cathedral on the same site as the demolished Christchurch Basilica.
- Shortlist of possible names announced for Catholic cathedral, Star News, 23 June 2024 - A brief article on potential names for the new Catholic Cathedral.
- Name for new cathedral in Christchurch revealed, Star News, 5 August 2024 - Article announcing the name for the new Catholic cathedral in Christchurch: The Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament - Te Hāhi Matua o te Hākarameta Tapu Rawa