Old St Paul Cathedral in Wellington caught me by surprise. The streets of New Zealand’s capital reflect an active, upbeat, modern city. The general architecture styles are eclectic, contemporary and interesting. Then there is old St Paul Cathedral. Built entirely of native timber, this 19th-century gothic-revival masterpiece is well worth a visit. The high, vaulted ceilings, wooden beams, and stained glass windows seem out of place in such a young country. Built in 1866, it has a feel like many of the much older churches we visited in Europe.
The stunning interior of the old church.
The organ that is currently in the Old St Paul Cathedral is its fourth organ. The original is now in the new church.
Stained glass windows inside the old church.
Exterior Old St Paul Cathedral.
Only a block away sits the new St Paul Cathedral, built in the 1960s. Its massive organ is built from the remnants of the original water organ of the old cathedral. We were lucky enough to stumble upon an organ concert, free to enter with a recommended donation. The photos were shot before the concert – later the seats filled up quite a bit.
The modern interior of the new church.
Exterior of new St Paul Cathedral as seen from the nearby steps of Parliament.
Practical Information:
- Old St Paul Cathedral is located at 34 Mulgrave Street. It’s open every day from 9:30 am to 5 pm, except when being used for private functions (it is popular for weddings).
- Hourly guided tours of the Old St Paul Cathedral are available for $7.50 per person.
- New Cathedral of St Paul is only a block away at the corner of Hill and Molesworth Streets. It is open Monday to Friday 8.30am to 4.30pm and on Saturday from 10 am to 4 pm. There are three Sunday services at 8 am Said Eucharist, 10 am Choral Eucharist, and 5 pm Choral Evensong.
- New Cathedral of St Paul serves as the Anglican Diocese of Wellington.
- Both are free to enter, although a donation is requested.
New or Old, which St Paul Cathedral do you prefer? Have you visited either?
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Jessica says
I love old churches. But once you’ve seen a few, they all start to look alike. I’m still drawn to them, though.
Rhonda Albom says
There are so few in New Zealand, I was surprised to see this one.
Claudya says
Gorgeous. What a treat to hear an organ concert.
Rhonda Albom says
I love when we randomly stumble upon cool things like the organ concert.
Michele {Malaysian Meanders} says
I rather fancy the Old cathedral over the new one. With all that timber, there’s a feeling of warmth and welcome to it.
Rhonda Albom says
Yes, it was very welcoming. I know it is used often for weddings. There is a good feel to the place.
Carraol says
No doubt, the old St Paul is impressive, its timber work, the organ and its atmosphere full of warm and colored light are a visual delight!
Rhonda Albom says
I agree. I fell in love with it upon entry.
Grey World Nomads says
You certainly do a lot of work with this blog, your photography and your writing. Chapeau!
Lisa Wood says
Oh I love old Buildings – I loved visiting the old churches in England, back when I was 18 {I went there for two months} and castles 🙂
St Paul Cathedral in Wellington looks so beautiful 🙂
Rhonda Albom says
I love the old churches in Europe too.
Ruth - Tanama Tales says
I would not imagine a cathedral made of timber. What an unique place! The interior is beautiful and it reminds me of churches in Europe too.
Rhonda Albom says
What else would they make the old cathedrals out of, if not timber?
Christine E-E says
I’ve never been to New Zealand… but I do love visiting OLD churches. There is something peaceful about thinking a building has been visited by so many people (visitors or parishioners)… especially love the stained glass in this church and thinking about how many hours, days, weeks and months creating those objects of art may have taken.
Rhonda Albom says
There are not too many old churches in New Zealand – not much old of anything.
Dara says
What an absolutely gorgeous church! Thank you for sharing. 🙂
Rhonda Albom says
Thanks Dara.
Claudia | ImagesByCW says
That is an amazing building. The old church’s interior reminds me a little of Scandinavian architecture. It is beautiful and I’d definitely prefer the old one.
Rhonda Albom says
I have been to Norway and Denmark but would love to see more of Scandinavia sometime – including the churches.
Kathryn Grace says
Oh, right away, I felt almost a system shock going from the warm photos of the old cathedral to the more austere, cold photos of the newer one. Perhaps, had I seen more of the stained glass of the new one, or a different angle, I might have been just as enthralled with it. I do believe I could sit for hours in the old cathedral.
Rhonda Albom says
I think the best part of the new one was the concert taking place.
Jean Marie says
It’s hard to say as each has it’s own charms. I am overwhelmed by the beauty of both, never having seen either.
Rhonda Albom says
I hope you get a chance to see both sometime.
Anda says
Very interesting combination between old and new. Although I am not a great fan of the new, modern architecture, I sort of like this one. It’s surprisingly cozy and it doesn’t feel inadequate for the exterior.
Rhonda Albom says
The modern exterior of St Paul is really nice.
Trekking with Becky says
How charming! My favourite shot is of the altar with all the beautiful stained glass windows. 😀 Thanks for posting and hosting! 😀
Rhonda Albom says
Thanks Becky.
RobRob (@TravelLatte.net) says
I’m usually a Modernist, but wow – the interior of the Old Cathedral is just gorgeous, with all that warm wood and beautiful stained glass. That said, I do like the look of the New Cathedral’s exterior; very grand. #wkendtravelinspiration
Rhonda Albom says
You can always visit them both 🙂
Elaine J. Masters says
I’ve been by St. Paul’s but never made it inside. So much to see and study in the details there!
Rhonda Albom says
You really ought to stop in next time you walk by.
Lydia C. Lee says
Def the old one – the new one is a little plain
Rhonda Albom says
It’s not really plain, it’s just big.
Comedy Plus says
I would visit both, but I’m guessing I would like the old the best. It’s all that history.
Have a fabulous day Rhonda. 🙂
Rhonda Albom says
I hope you do get here to visit someday.
Tanja (the Red phone box travels) says
Old one looks better:) #weekend travel inspiration
Rhonda Albom says
I think they are both beautiful in their own right, but agree – I do like the old one more.
Lexa Cain says
The pics are great! I love old stone and timber cathedrals. So impressive, and so much more awe-inspiring and spiritual than the updated designs. Have a great weekend! 🙂
Rhonda Albom says
Thank Lexa. I agree, it was really impressive. Quite a surprise to see something this lovely and old in New Zealand.
Amila @ Leisure and Me says
Actually I like the old cathedral and its interior much.The stained glass windows are really beautiful.
Rhonda Albom says
The wooden interior was my favourite feature, followed closely by the stained glass.
Hilary says
Hi Rhonda – both are lovely buildings aren’t they; the old Cathedral is stunning … while the new one I’m sure has excellent acoustics. Lovely photos … cheers Hilary
Rhonda Albom says
You are correct, the new one had great acoustics. We were really lucky to stumble upon a concert.
Corinne says
Rhonda, Another great idea for a tour in Wellington…some day!
Rhonda Albom says
Wellington, as you know, is my favourite getaway destination.
Hung Thai says
Cool pictures. The stained glass windows remind me of some of the churches in Croatia. I imagine the atmosphere would be really nice when all the seats are filled and the concert is on.
Rhonda Albom says
I also thought it reminded me of the old European churches. It’s just not that old, build in the mid 1800s.
Paula McInerney says
I like them both, with a slight preference for the old one.
Rhonda Albom says
You will love Wellington, when you get here. 🙂
Lyndall @ Seize The Day Project says
What a beautiful cathedral Rhonda. I love the stained glass windows – just so incredibly beautiful! 🙂
Rhonda Albom says
Agreed. I love stained glass. I was surprised to see such beautiful windows in New Zealand.
Sally@Toddlers on Tour says
They both have a charm of their own. The old has such a pretty exterior yet I really like the interior of the new. Wonder if we could make 3rd church and combine all the best elements 🙂
Rhonda Albom says
LOL – They would have to destroy both of these masterpieces to do that.