The Project to reinstate Christchurch Cathedral Updated: October 27 2020

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Spring daffodils flowering in front of the earthquake-damaged Christ Church Cathedral

Christ Church Cathedral Photo Gallery

A bird’s eye view over the Cathedral in the 1950s. Aerial photo of Christ Church Cathedral and Cathedral Square, Christchurch, 1954

Cathedral being built in the 1800s. Historic photo of stonemasons cutting stone during construction of the Cathedral

Cathedral without west porch - pre -1894 Christ Church Cathedral in the 1880s, with its spire and rose window

Courtesy of Christchurch Anglican Diocesan Archives. Historic photo of a mason working on the stone tracery of a Cathedral window

Early days for the Cathedral and Cathedral Square Historic view of the Cathedral and its spire above Cathedral Square

Bellringers inside the Cathedral tower Historic photo of the Christ Church Cathedral bell ringers holding the bell ropes

The Choir was established 6 months before consecration, courtesy of Conly Historic photo of the Cathedral choir of men and boys in white surplices

Man touching bell before it is hauled into the tower. Courtesy of Christ Church Cathedral Collection and Christchurch Anglican Diocese Archives. A Cathedral bell on a pallet being prepared for installation

Stained glass window depicting the Epiphany, courtesy of Jenny May Stained glass Epiphany window inside Christ Church Cathedral

The day the Joint Venture Agreement was signed Signing of the joint venture agreement for the Cathedral reinstatement

Interior of Cathedral prior to the 2011 earthquakes The Cathedral nave looking towards the altar before the earthquakes

An external view of the Rose Window at night The rose window and west front of the Cathedral lit up at night

A view of the Cathedral before earthquake damage. Christ Church Cathedral and its spire in Cathedral Square before the 2011 earthquake

A floral arrangement in the aisle of the Cathedral. A floral carpet laid down the Cathedral aisle before the earthquakes

The Selwyn Pulpit was badly damaged in the earthquakes. The damaged Selwyn pulpit surrounded by fallen stone after the earthquake

A New Zealand Prayer Book sits among the rubble Earthquake rubble inside the Cathedral, with a fallen hymn book

Cathedral bells among the rubble from the Tower Cathedral bells lying among the rubble of the fallen tower

Damage to the roof of the Cathedral The collapsed roof and walls of the earthquake-damaged Cathedral

Earthquake damaged north porch Boarded-up doors and walls of the earthquake-damaged Cathedral

Earthquake damaged west porch and south side A worker in hi-vis beside the earthquake-damaged Cathedral and fallen stone

A public event to celebrate the bells A crowd gathered in Cathedral Square near the damaged Cathedral

A stone mason demonstrates carving during the 2019 Heritage Festival A stonemason demonstrating stone carving to visitors in Cathedral Square

Heritage Professional Jenny May explains the history of the Cathedral Visitors in hard hats on a site tour of the damaged Cathedral west front

HRH The Prince of Wales unveils a plaque that confirms he is the project’s Royal Patron Unveiling of a plaque at the Cathedral during the royal visit, November 2019

HRH The Prince of Wales giving a speech during his visit in November 2019 Royal visitor at the Cathedral reinstatement plaque unveiling, November 2019

HRH The Prince of Wales, HRH The Duchess of Cornwall, and Prime Minister Jacinda Adern visit the Cathedral site Royal visit in front of the damaged Cathedral west front, November 2019

Project Director Keith Paterson discusses the project with HRH The Prince of Wales, and The Very Rev’d Lawrence Kimberley Royal visit to the Cathedral reinstatement site, November 2019

HRH The Prince of Wales speaks with the Cathedral Choir Cathedral choristers in red robes meeting a royal visitor, November 2019

The Rt Rev d Dr Peter Carrell escorts HRH The Prince of Wales and HRH The Duchess of Cornwall, and Mayor of Christchurch Royal visit guests and clergy indoors, November 2019

The blessing of the site and workers was live-streamed due to COVID19 Clergy in hard hats on the steps of the damaged Cathedral for a blessing

The Cathedral before physical work began on site - April 2020 Aerial view of the damaged Cathedral and Cathedral Square

A projector with special effects was used to bring light to the Cathedral in winter 2019 The damaged Cathedral lit up with coloured light projections at night

This model was built by prisoners at Christchurch Men’s Prison. Great Christchurch Buildings Trust has kindly loaned it to the project A copper model of Christ Church Cathedral with its spire

Project team members, just before physical work began on site, May 2020

Sections of the Wigram Wall are being moved so they won’t be damaged during other activities Salvaged stone columns from the Cathedral laid out on site

A large piece of stained glass from the Rose window was discovered in winter 2019 An archangel from the Cathedral rose window stained glass, saved after the earthquake

A glorious rainbow over the Cathedral A rainbow over the damaged Cathedral and the site hoardings

Aerial view of the Cathedral site in April 2020

Aerial photo of the Cathedral site in July 2020 Aerial view of the Cathedral during stabilisation works, July 2020

Students from The Cathedral Grammar School see their artwork for the first time on the new hoarding School pupils reading the Kids and the Cathedral display on the hoardings

Installing the new hoarding - October 2020 Workers putting up decorative hoardings around the Cathedral site

Steel for the North Porch temporary support frame, prior to assembly Steel beams laid out beside the Cathedral for stabilisation works

People taking selfies with the new hoardings. A pupil posing with angel wings on the Cathedral site hoardings

The steel needed to make the temporary steel support from for the north porch. Steel frames and stabilisation works at the damaged Cathedral

The temporary steel support frame for the north porch is now in place A crane lifting steel into place against the Cathedral walls

View of Cathedral Quarter from the west. Concept Design artist impression. Concept design of the reinstated Cathedral and spire from Cathedral Square

View of Cathedral and Tower in the evening - Concept Design, artist impression. Concept design of the reinstated Cathedral west front at dusk

View of Visitors’ Centre and lowered landscaped courtyard. Concept Design, artist impression Concept design of the new Cathedral Centre beside the Cathedral

Cathedral Centre, to the south. Concept Design, artist impression. Concept design of the courtyard between the Cathedral and new buildings

South vestry. Concept design, artist impression. Concept design of the reinstated Cathedral seen from the street

Internal view of Cathedral Centre. Concept design, artist impression. Concept design of the inside of the new Cathedral Centre

Bird’s eye view of Cathedral Quarter, featuring new koru inspired paving. Concept design, artist impression Concept design landscape plan of the Cathedral grounds

Bird’s eye view of the south including Cathedral Centre. Concept design, artist impression. Aerial concept design of the reinstated Cathedral and its surroundings

Concept design for the Tower, artist impression. Concept design cross-section drawing of the Cathedral tower and spire

Internal view of the Cathedral. Concept design, artist impression. Concept design of the restored Cathedral nave filled with people

Extensive scaffolding is now in place. Scaffolding and a steel frame supporting the Cathedral walls

The remains of the Rose Window were removed in October and November 2020 to make way for the steel support frame. A crane beside the damaged Cathedral during stabilisation

The Visitors’ Centre being demolished in November 2020. The Cathedral roof and stabilisation works seen from above

At the Transitional Cathedral, Cathedral 3 of the Tale of # Cathedrals Heritage Festival tour, 2020. Visitors talking with project staff at a Cathedral information session

Heritage Festival 2020 attendee enjoying the angel wings A visitor posing with angel wings on the Cathedral site hoardings

Heritage Professional Jenny May shares the Cathedral’s history at the 2020 Heritage Festival tours. A film crew interviewing people in Cathedral Square

Aerial photograph from November 2020. Aerial view of cranes at work on the Cathedral site, November 2020

An 18-tonne steel frame is lifted carefully onto the front of the Cathedral The Cathedral rose window wall held in a steel frame by a crane