Christchurch Cathedral Earthquake Damage
The Christchurch Cathedral earthquake damage came in stages. The 22 February 2011 earthquake destroyed Christ Church Cathedral's spire and the upper part of its tower, the June 2011 earthquake brought down the rose window, and aftershocks through 2011 did further harm. The building was never demolished. After years of dispute, the Anglican synod voted in September 2017 to reinstate it.
Timeline of the earthquake damage
| Date | Event | Effect on the Cathedral |
|---|---|---|
| 4 September 2010 | Canterbury earthquake | Superficial damage; closed for engineering inspections until 22 September |
| 26 December 2010 | Boxing Day aftershock | Further damage |
| 22 February 2011 | Magnitude 6.3 earthquake | Spire and upper tower destroyed; rest of the building severely damaged |
| 13 June 2011 | Magnitude 6.4 earthquake | Rose window fell in; west wall partly collapsed |
| December 2011 | Earthquakes | Further damage to the west wall |
| March 2012 | Demolition of the remaining tower | Tower removed |
| 15 November 2012 | High Court interim judgment | Demolition effectively paused |
| 15 August 2013 | Cardboard Cathedral opens for worship | Congregation moves to the transitional cathedral |
| 9 September 2017 | Anglican synod vote | Decision to reinstate the Cathedral |
What happened to the Cathedral in the February 2011 earthquake?
The magnitude 6.3 earthquake on 22 February 2011 destroyed the spire completely and left only the lower half of the tower standing. The walls and roof stayed mostly intact, but the rest of the building was severely damaged, and several surrounding buildings were left in ruins.
Straight after the earthquake, part of the lower tower was demolished so that search and rescue teams could work. Preliminary reports suggested that as many as 20 people had been in the tower when it collapsed, but a thorough examination by Urban Search and Rescue teams found no bodies.
When did the rose window fall?
The rose window fell in on 13 June 2011, during a magnitude 6.4 earthquake. The west wall that held it partly collapsed at the same time and was damaged again in the December 2011 earthquakes. The loss raised the question of whether the Cathedral would have to be deconsecrated and demolished.
The window was designed by Benjamin Mountfort and given by Leonard Harper and his wife Joanna. It was made of 31 sections and 4,000 pieces of stained glass.
Had earthquakes damaged the Cathedral before?
Yes, many times. Earthquakes damaged the building, mostly the spire, in 1881, 1888, 1901, 1922 and 2010.
Why wasn't the Cathedral demolished?
The Anglican Church decided to demolish the damaged building and replace it with a new one, and the rest of the tower was taken down in March 2012. The decision drew strong opposition. Two groups formed to save the building: the Restore Christchurch Cathedral group, organised by Mark Belton, and the Great Christchurch Buildings Trust, led by Jim Anderton and Philip Burdon.
On 15 November 2012 the High Court granted the Great Christchurch Buildings Trust's application for judicial review of the demolition decision. The interim judgment did not rule that demolition was illegal, but it effectively paused it. The Government later appointed an independent negotiator, and on 9 September 2017 the Anglican synod voted by a 55% majority to reinstate the Cathedral, after local and central government offered extra grants and loans.
Where has the congregation worshipped since?
Since 15 August 2013 the Cathedral community has worshipped at the Cardboard Cathedral, the transitional cathedral built after the earthquakes.
Is the Cathedral a protected heritage building?
Yes. Heritage New Zealand lists the Cathedral Church of Christ as a Category 1 historic place, List No. 46, entered on 7 April 1983. Its foundations were laid in 1864, the nave and tower were finished and consecrated in 1881, and the chancel, transepts and apse were completed by 1904. Our Cathedral history and timeline covers those building years in more detail.
Where do things stand now?
This site's project pages were last updated in October 2020. According to the reinstatement project’s own website, works were paused in 2024 and a staged plan to re-open the Cathedral was announced in September 2025. See that site for the current plan and funding. For the stabilisation work carried out before then, see stabilising the Cathedral, and for Cantabrians' own memories of the building, read the people’s Cathedral recollections.
Photographs of the building before and after the earthquakes are in the Cathedral gallery, and answers to common questions are on the FAQ page.
Frequently asked questions
What happened to Christchurch Cathedral in the 2011 earthquake?
The magnitude 6.3 earthquake on 22 February 2011 destroyed Christ Church Cathedral's spire and the upper part of its tower, leaving only the lower half of the tower standing. The walls and roof stayed mostly intact, but the rest of the building was severely damaged.
When did the Christchurch Cathedral rose window collapse?
The rose window in the west wall fell in during the magnitude 6.4 earthquake on 13 June 2011. The west wall partly collapsed at the same time and was damaged again in the December 2011 earthquakes.
Was Christchurch Cathedral demolished?
No. The remains of the tower were taken down in March 2012 and the Anglican Church decided to demolish the building, but legal challenges and public opposition held that back. In September 2017 the Anglican synod voted to reinstate the Cathedral instead.
Where do the Cathedral's congregation worship now?
The Cathedral community has worshipped at the Cardboard Cathedral, the transitional cathedral, since 15 August 2013.
Is Christchurch Cathedral a heritage building?
Yes. Heritage New Zealand lists the Cathedral Church of Christ as a Category 1 historic place, List No. 46, entered on 7 April 1983.
Sources: Heritage New Zealand, New Zealand Heritage List entry 46; Wikipedia, "ChristChurch Cathedral, Christchurch" (earthquake and legal history); Christ Church Cathedral Reinstatement Limited (current status). Banner photo: New Zealand Defence Force / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.0). Written 2026-09-18.