Interior of a white walled church with pews

Erskine Chapel Open Day

See the splendid beauty of Erskine Chapel (Sacré Coeur), tucked away in the hills of Island Bay.

Erskine Chapel is an iconic Category 1-listed French Gothic chapel, a sentinel of older times. Located in the core of the former Erskine college building, the chapel’s interior is of great significance.

In 2023, significant strengthening and restoration works were completed on the chapel, including the west façade and entrance, major steel structural upgrades, and a new roof. The chapel is located on the first level, where the restoration reaches a full crescendo of white arched ceilings lit by stained glass. No effort was spared to return the interiors to their original beauty, despite a decade of severe neglect.

Erskine Chapel won the heritage category of the Te Kāhui Whaihanga New Zealand Institute of Architects (NZIA) 2024 Awards, highlighting the work of Tobin Smith of Common Architecture and Adam Wild of Archifact Architecture & Conservation Heritage.

Explore the Chapel and support local artisans and makers. Bask in the music and aroma of freshly baked goods and delicious coffee. Mark this date in your calendar now and experience the chapel's charm and restored beauty.

Entry to chapel by Koha for ongoing chapel maintenance.

Health & Safety

Please park on nearby streets. Only vehicles with accessibility needs are allowed entry to the complex. For those driving through, please drive slowly and remain watchful for children and pets. When leaving the chapel, check for cars. Do not walk on the road and keep to the left of Avon Street. The lift swings outwards. Please avoid standing within the yellow marked lines.

Location
31 Avon St, Island Bay, Wellington

Regions

Wellington

Tags

Open Day
Accessible
Family Activities

Event times

10am-4pm Sun 2 Nov


Koha

Event hosts

Erskine Chapel

Erskine Chapel is considered to be New Zealand’s finest French Gothic-style chapel, influenced heavily by a chapel in Alsace Lorraine, France. It features a soaring vaulted ceiling, an interior of Italian Carrara marble and glorious acoustics – considered by many to be the best in the Southern hemisphere.

Email: erskine@twc.co.nz

Phone: 0223069304