Walk Two - Sacred Spaces of Wellington

Discover histories of faith communities which have served Wellington since the 19th century. Learn about architecture, art, beliefs and rituals distinctive to these traditions.

Walk Two starts at 9 a.m. on Saturday November 2 at St Joseph’s Catholic Church, 42 Ellice St, Mt Victoria, near the Basin Reserve. The church was built in 2004 but Catholic history in this area dates from 1885, including links with St Patrick’s College and the Home of Compassion. The Greek Orthodox Cathedral on Hania Street originated with migration from Greece in the 1940s, with the building being opened in 1970s. The Society of Friends, or Quakers, was founded in England in the 17th century, rejecting elaborate religious ceremonies, and focused on peace making. Early settlers met in Wellington and Nelson from 1841 and the Moncrieff Street centre was purpose built in 1929.

The final stop for the morning will be Wesley Church, Taranaki Street, a building dating from 1880, and which holds services in English, Fijian, Samoan and Tongan. Wesley missionaries held the first Christian service in Wellington at Te Aro Pa in June 1839.

Walks are guided by: - Sir David Moxon, from Hamilton, a former Archbishop of the Anglican Church in Aotearoa, New Zealand, and a former director of the Anglican Centre in Rome. - Dr Richard Norman, a member of Historic Places Wellington, with experience as a teacher and researcher of management studies.

A brochure with information on these events can be downloaded here (PDF).