Cathedral of the Blessed Virgin Mary

A key project objective was to design a welcoming cathedral that is strongly connected to the local community and urban landscape.

Working with the parish and diocesan communities we designed in flexibility that successfully accommodates large festive celebrations as well as smaller contemplative services.

In late 1995 Peter Egan, a parishioner of the local Catholic Cathedral, approached Antanas Procuta Architects Ltd to prepare a concept for the upgrade of the Cathedral of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Hamilton. Ideas by various groups within the congregation had been prepared however no cohesive brief existed.

The existing cathedral no longer suited the large congregations for important diocesan events as well as the Easter and Christmas masses. The cathedral was designed as a parish church in 1974 to replace the previous St. Mary’s. In 1980 the Bay of Plenty diocese was created, with the renamed “Cathedral of the Blessed Virgin Mary” as the Diocesan Cathedral.

Through consultation with key interest parties including the parish priest, and the Diocesan Bishop, a number of key elements were identified as essential liturgical and organisational requirements. These included the baptistery, the cathedra (the Bishop’s Chair), the relationship of the congregation and building to the community, and the existing features of the building such as the altar, Lady Chapel, tabernacle, crucifix, and stained-glass west window.

Approximately ten “relationship diagrams” where prepared exploring the organisation of the above elements to each other, as well as considering options for circulation through the space. One of these diagrams was chosen as satisfying the relationships both in terms of function and the symbolism inherent in a cathedral.

Through a variety of meetings, this diagram was then developed as a sketch design. Further consultation, and modification of that first sketch led to a Concept Design that was then presented to the parish and diocese for approval.

The various new rooms opening to the foyer provides the architectural response from the street as a cluster of small building forms grouped around the cathedral entry, and standing beneath the landmark stained-glass ‘tower’ which has long identified the Catholic Cathedral. It was important to maintain the view of this stained-glass icon from the Bridge Street approach to the cathedral, as this has been from the outset a project to build on and enhance the existing cathedral.

Connection of the Cathedral to Bridge Street and opening the Cathedral entrance to the community, recognising that the cathedral is an important architectural icon in the broader Hamilton townscape. The original church had a curved blank wall facing Bridge Street / Grey Street, perhaps giving an aloof and unapproachable facade. With two side doors acting as the “front entrance” to the building, and mixing vehicular and pedestrian traffic, the building was to a certain extent disconnected from the wider community. To rectify this situation a new centrally-placed entrance facing Bridge Street was designed. A piazza was designed in front of the cathedral, and foot traffic and cars separated. This was proposed to better link the cathedral entrance with the community, creating a space where the parishioners and visitors can congregate.

Change from Parish church to cathedral. When the building was originally designed in 1974 it was designed to function as a parish church. The subsequent creation of the Waikato diocese meant that the building became a Cathedral. The bishop’s seat (cathedra) was placed in an ad-hoc fashion beside the sanctuary. One of the main considerations for this upgrade was to place the cathedra on the main central axis from the Entry to the Nave through to the altar. Using natural overhead daylight to accentuate the altar within a relatively dark nave (owing to low light levels and a rimu panel ceiling), along with placement of the crucifix above the altar required a redesign of the ceiling. Important aspect of the existing building were careful removed, restored and re-used, including the Stations of the Cross, Altar, Lectern and the stained-glass and leadlight windows.

Location of the baptistery.

In recent years, the role of baptism as the way Catholics first enter the realm of the church has been re-emphasised. This has been translated into the location of the Baptismal font within the architecture of the cathedral. The new design incorporates a fixed baptistery on the central axis of the building at the entrance, in a pool of light under the large stained-glass window.

Choir

Previously the choir was accommodated within the Nave of the church; a compromise in terms of acoustics and circulation. A new choir-specific extension was designed to improve the space acoustically, and lines of sight were improved with tiered platforms.

Foyer and Ancillary Functions

As part of the upgrade of the cathedral, additional spaces for a kitchen, shop, vesting and meetings were added. The narthex has been enlarged to accommodate the congregation before and after services. This space also provides the link to the various ancillary spaces. Sets of glazed, movable walls allow the Nave to expand into the Narthex during festival services like Christmas and Easter.

The Lady Chapel

In line with the change on the choir side of the cathedral, the Lady Chapel on the opposite side of the Nave has been enlarged.

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