Wellington Cathedral of St. Paul, Wellington

The Wellington Cathedral of Saint Paul, commonly known as Saint Paul's Cathedral or Wellington Cathedral, is a significant Anglican building in Wellington. It's strategically located on Hill Street, where it meets Molesworth Street in the Thorndon area. Not only is it a notable landmark, but its proximity to the parliamentary precinct also integrates it deeply into the nation's civic and spiritual life.

Being the main church of the Diocese of Wellington, it is where the Bishop of Wellington presides, making it central to the Anglican Church in Aotearoa, New Zealand, and Polynesia. Designed by the famous New Zealand architect Cecil Wood in the 1930s, its construction began in 1954 and finished in 1998, showcasing resilience and adaptation by using reinforced concrete due to the seismic risks highlighted by the 1931 Napier earthquake. This choice reflects a blend of practicality and spiritual ambition.

Initially conceived as a war memorial cathedral, its design and construction carried a sense of grandeur and national importance. Archbishop Reginald Herbert Owen of New Zealand emphasized in 1958 the necessity for a capital city to have a magnificent church representing the nation's commitment to spiritual values. This vision came to fruition when the cathedral started serving the Anglican community in 1964, succeeding the historic Old Saint Paul's, and was formally consecrated in 2001.

The Lady Chapel, made of wood, is located near the walkway on the left side when facing the pulpit. It used to be the main church for the Saint Paul's community in Paraparaumu. Frederick de Jersey Clere, the architect for the diocese, designed it. The chapel first opened in Paraparaumu in 1905. In 1990, it was moved to the Wellington Cathedral property and officially dedicated on May 12, 1991. There's also a smaller chapel area near the entrance on the left. This space has simple furnishings, including a small altar.