The number and beauty of Dunedin's inner-city churches reflect the importance of religion in the city's life from the beginning. They are also monuments to the skills and vision of some of the leading architects of the day.Inner City Churches
The number and beauty of Dunedin's inner-city churches reflect the importance of religion in the city's life from the beginning. They are also monuments to the skills and vision of some of the leading architects of the day.
Pride of place must go to the two grand Presbyterian churches of the 1870s, First Church on Moray Place (1873) and Knox Church on George Street (1876). Both were designed by Robert Lawson in Gothic style with soaring spires and have exquisite wood and stone carvings. First Church is widely recognised as the most impressive of all 19th century New Zealand churches.
Also on the grand scale are the two cathedrals, the Catholic St Joseph’s on Rattray Street (1886) and the Anglican St Paul’s on the Octagon (1915). St Joseph’s was designed by Frank Petre and has two impressive front towers. St Paul’s was the work of Edmund Setting and has neither towers nor spires but nonetheless dominates the Octagon by its position. Notable too is the earlier cathedral-like Anglican church of St Matthew in Stafford St, designed by William Mason (1874).
Many of the smaller nineteenth-century churches have now found alternative uses. The Trinity Methodist Church in Stuart Street (1870) has been successfully converted into the Fortune Theatre. The Dunedin Synagogue in Moray Place (1863) is now an art gallery. The St Andrew’s Street Baptist Church (1910) has become a language school and travel agency.
Also included in this trail are the Congregational Church in Moray place, designed by David Ross (1864), and the early meeting-places of the Salvation Army and the Open Brethren.
This trail was produced by the Southern Heritage Trust and can be walked in about two hours. The printed brochure is available from the Sexton's Cottage .