Christchurch Cathedral Ruins

Early in January 2017, I visited Christchurch Cathedral. Well I viewed it through the fences that have surrounded it for almost six years now. Once the heart of the city, it stands in ruins, its fate still uncertain. Most locals have strong opinions about whether it should be saved or not. Some are for and some against but few are neutral. Maybe 2017 will bring a decision!

A Tale of Two Cathedrals

Vancouver is a beautiful city of rivers and lakes, high-rise glass buildings that reflect the sun, and snow-capped mountains. It's over 12,000 kilometres from Christchurch and in late April 2015, I boarded an aircraft to fly there for a few days.

To backtrack a few years, in 2012 I put together a book entitled Magnitude 7.1 & 6.3 which was a compilation of people's experiences about the Christchurch earthquakes. When searching for stories, I put word out on my Facebook page and a lady by the name of Diane Jones responded. At the time, Diane and I both wrote for a Canadian website by the name of Suite101 - now Suite.io. We emailed back and forward and it turned out that Diane was a member of Christ Church Cathedral in Vancouver.  On hearing of the earthquakes in Christchurch and the damage to our cathedral, the church community over there prayed for us and collected money to help the relief efforts in our city. Vancouver is situated on the ring of fire and also earthquake-prone so I felt a real connection to Diane - and her story touched my heart - and also made it into the book.

Once my trip was arranged, I sent Diane a message on Facebook. "I'm going to be in Vancouver for a few days. Would you like to meet up?" Her response was positive and a few weeks later, she and her husband, Frank, picked me up from my hotel. It was like visiting an old friend and stories flowed freely over a delicious lunch. Then Diane asked if I had any plans for the afternoon. On hearing that I didn’t, she made an offer. "Would you like to visit Christ Church Cathedral?" Of course I did and after a short drive and parking five storeys underground, we emerged onto the street a few metres from the church. Like our cathedral, the Vancouver building was built in the late 1800’s of stone Gothic construction, is situated in the heart of the city and each part of it is soaked in history. Ironically, it was surrounded by scaffolding when I visited as the roof was being replaced as part of earthquake-strengthening measures. If I had visited a week later, I would not have been able to enter the building.

As I walked through the doors, a sense of warmth engulfed me. This was more than just a stone church; it was home to a congregation who had cared enough to send an offering halfway around the world to a city and congregation on their knees. Diane and Frank showed me around the cathedral that was softly lit by lamps and light that filtered through magnificent stained glass windows. Wooden pews and chairs sat on a polished wood floor and dark beams supported the vaulted ceilings. I couldn’t help but think of our cathedral before the earthquakes. The weekly services, floral festivals, climbing the tower, magnificent views across Christchurch, the bells pealing out at New Year’s. I remembered the day the cathedral was deconsecrated and I was there in a journalistic capacity. It was a sad occasion as prayers were offered in front of the ruined building. Earthquake fences kept us from walking more than a few metres in any direction and people wept openly.

Many more memories wound through my mind as I walked through the cathedral in Vancouver and I prayed that their city be kept safe from earthquakes. It was one of the highlights of my trip to Canada and an experience I will always treasure. I came away humbled and realising how small the world is in many ways. That what happened in our little corner of the Southern Hemisphere has impacted people far beyond our borders. I will always have warm memories of our cathedral in Christchurch – and as a result of what happened here, I now have new friends in Vancouver and a heart full of memories of another cathedral and congregation that have touched my life.

Christchurch Cardboard Transitional Cathedral

The stone neo-Gothic Christchurch Cathedral was badly damaged in the 22nd February 2011 earthquake and to date, still stands in ruins, its future undecided. A Japanese architect by the name of Shigeru Ban designed a new building with an expected life span of approximately 50 years. This was opened in August 2013 and continues to draw crowds of tourists as well as worshippers.

It is constructed from wood and steel with cardboard cylinders lining the polycarbonate roof. The floor is polished concrete and the cardboard theme is carried through the interior. Seating is rows of simple wooden chairs with padded cream cushions. The overall effect is one of light and beauty and this is enhanced by the coloured glass window over the entrance. This consists of 49 panels and includes designs from the original Christchurch Cathedral's rose window.

The Transitional Cathedral has filled a hole in the hearts of Christchurch people and is a place where they can worship God, reflect on life and enjoy peaceful moments.

Photo Tour of Cathedral Square Christchurch - Post Earthquakes

Christchurch CBD reopened to the public at the end of June 2013. This was after being cordoned off to the public since the 6.3 magnitude earthquake in February 2011. A walk through Cathedral Square on the 24th July 2013 revealed massive gaps where buildings have fallen. Christchurch Cathedral still stands in ruins and ongoing demolitions continue in the area.