New Cathedral hoardings unveiled in Cathedral Square

If you’re passing through Cathedral Square, take a moment to connect with the boldly-coloured new information panels that celebrate Christ Church Cathedral and the project underway to reinstate it.

The new fencing information panels have been installed over the past few days and were officially ‘unveiled’ earlier today. At 58 metres long and directly in front of the Cathedral the panels are hard to miss.

Dean of Christchurch Lawrence Kimberley says the panels are intended to inform and delight people of all ages.

“The panels tell some of the rich story of the Cathedral and explain what’s involved in the project. People will be able to touch some genuine Cathedral stone and wood, and if they are lucky, they just might hear people from the Cathedral’s past whispering their stories.

“We also encourage people to take a selfie with the giant set of angel wings, fun for both children and adults,” says Dean Lawrence.

People will be able to view the project through some ‘stained-glass’ Perspex that calls to mind but is not a replica of the Cathedral’s Rose Window. The Rose Window will be reinstated as part of the project using recovered stained glass where possible.

There is something for everyone, including child-friendly information, illustrated by children from The Cathedral Grammar School.

Sophie from Year 7 was christened in the old Cathedral so she enjoyed drawing it.

“Repairing the Cathedral is important because it’s something that means a lot to the whole of Christchurch and it is part of who we are. I enjoyed listening to all the different facts about the Cathedral and seeing how the different members of my class interpreted these facts to mean something special to them.”

For Year 4 pupil Evelyn it was learning that the “kitties all got homes” that she liked. “It was enjoyable finding out about odd little stories to do with the cathedral’s life and seeing how everyone’s pictures related to their part of the story.”

Cathedral Grammar Art teacher Jude Gray says they were very excited to be invited to collaborate on the project.
“It was particularly fitting this year as it coincides with the launch of our girl choristers in the Transitional Cathedral, many of whom have designed the artworks on the hoarding. It has been a really enjoyable way for the girls to connect to, and learn more about the history of, our original Cathedral in the lead up to its reinstatement.”

The popular artwork “Kaitiakitanga” by artist Chris Heaphy that has adorned much of the fence around the Cathedral since 2011 will remain in place on the southern side.

Christchurch City Councillor Yani Johanson attended the event and says, “It is great to see the hoardings present information about this complex and challenging project in a way that is colourful, interactive and easy to understand.

“It’s great that people can get a glimpse of what is happening on the project in an appealing and engaging way.”

You can see our full media release and images here