St. Patrick’s Cathedral

St Patrick's Cathedral, in Auckland

St Patrick's Cathedral is the Catholic cathedral of Auckland, a delightful neo-Gothic building dedicated to Saint Patrick, the patron of the Irish. The Auckland audio-guided tour stops here, with respect, to evoke this sanctuary born in 1841 from a simple wooden chapel founded by the French missionary Jean-Baptiste Pompallier, and become one of the finest monuments of the town.

From the wooden chapel to the neo-Gothic cathedral

In front of you stands the fine cathedral of Auckland, St Patrick's Cathedral. It is indeed dedicated to Saint Patrick, the patron saint of the Irish, which recalls the strong presence of the Irish community in the history of the town. It was built in 1841, that is one year after the foundation of Auckland, on the initiative of Jean-Baptiste Pompallier, a French missionary who played a great role in the Catholic evangelisation of Oceania and was the first bishop of the town. At first, the building was only a simple wooden chapel, to the measure of this young colonial town; but it grew over the decades, in the image of the growth of the Catholic population. It is in 1907 that it took its present appearance, revealing a fine neo-Gothic architecture, with its pointed arches, its fine columns and its stained-glass windows, and able to host several thousand faithful. Inside, in the calm conducive to contemplation, the polished wood, the colourful stained-glass windows and the soft light give the place a warm and soothing atmosphere, that makes it one of the most delightful buildings of the town. Carefully restored, the cathedral remains the heart of the Catholic diocese of Auckland and hosts the great religious celebrations. A place of prayer and of memory of the origins of the town, it discreetly watches over the centre. A neo-Gothic cathedral and a spiritual cradle, St Patrick's Cathedral is discovered with respect.

What to see

Here you discover, with respect, the Catholic cathedral of Auckland, dedicated to Saint Patrick, born in 1841 from a simple wooden chapel founded by the French missionary Jean-Baptiste Pompallier, the first bishop of the town; enlarged over time, it took in 1907 its fine neo-Gothic architecture, and its interior of polished wood, stained-glass windows and soft light makes it one of the most delightful buildings of the town. St Patrick's Cathedral is a spiritual cradle of Auckland. It is a stop to be discovered with respect.

Practical information

St Patrick's Cathedral lies on Wyndham Street, in the heart of the centre of Auckland, reachable on foot. A place of worship in activity, it can be visited with respect for services; entry is generally free, but hours vary. It is best to check them before coming and to respect the sacred character of the place.

What is the history of St Patrick's Cathedral of Auckland?

Dedicated to Saint Patrick, patron of the Irish, it was built in 1841, one year after the foundation of the town, by the French missionary Jean-Baptiste Pompallier, the first bishop of Auckland; a simple wooden chapel originally, it grew and took in 1907 its fine neo-Gothic architecture, with a fine interior of polished wood and stained-glass windows.

Where is St Patrick's Cathedral in Auckland?

On Wyndham Street, in the heart of the centre of Auckland, in New Zealand.