Heritage

St Thomas’ Chapel

Location

Auckland

Client

St Matthew in-the-City Anglican Church

Date

2011

The historic St Thomas’ Chapel was reinstated within the south transept of heritage-listed St Matthew in-the-City Church. A sensitive addition that carefully integrates new kitchen and toilet facilities within an iconic church interior.

Additions
Alterations
Interiors
Churches
New Design

St Thomas’ Chapel itself originated on board the early twentieth century Melanesian Mission ship, Southern Cross V, which had operated throughout the Pacific region. Material from the decommissioned ship had subsequently been used to form a ’lady chapel’ in St Thomas Church, Auckland, before that building was demolished to make way for the new motorway. Temporary interim home for the historic remnants had been the crypt of St Matthews.

“This jewel-like box, with its highlights of lit onyx, honours and respects the existing architecture of St Matthew-in-the-City while asserting its own merits. It is delicately and thoughtfully sited in the historic church.”

– NZ ARCHITECTURE HERITAGE AWARD 2011

St Matthew 02

The design solution involved creating two simple “containers”, one to provide supportive enclosure for the heritage elements of the chapel and the other, the functional requirements of a modern catering kitchen. The “containers” had to be detailed for viewing from every angle, including overhead. Simplicity was the keynote and for the Chapel itself, the outer shell of simple oak ply with its “halo” of illuminated onyx provides a contrast against the heritage fabric within making clear the distinction between old and new.

In accordance with sound conservation practice principles the construction was achieved independently of the surrounding structure to allow easy removal if required at a later date, without damage to the historic elements of the Church.

Complex conservation demands shaped this heritage interior project and its success has been recognised in the following awards:

  • 2011 NZIA Regional Award – Heritage Category
  • 2012 NZIA National Award – Small Projects Category
  • Inaugural INTERIORS Awards 2012 – Culture and Civic Category and Supreme Award Winner
  • 2012 DINZ Best Awards – Public and Institutional Spaces - Gold Award

More projects

The Chapel, designed by Gummer Ford and Partners and constructed by Sargeant Construction Company, serves as a quiet place for prayer or contemplation.

In 1993 Salmond Architects was commissioned to prepare a Conservation Plan for Auckland City’s main Anglican church, St Matthew in-the-City, at the junction of Wellesley and Hobson Streets.

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Address

Level 4, Landmark House
187 Queen Street
Auckland CBD 1010

Mailing
PO Box 105929, Auckland City 1143