What is the future of Christchurch’s Transitional Cathedral?

The fate of Christchurch's Cardboard Cathedral is uncertain, following the parish's decision to dissolve.

The Anglican Diocese of Christchurch made the decision on Saturday morning.

The Right Reverend Dr Peter Carrell, Bishop of Christchurch said this decision opens the way to consider the future of the property associated with that parish, on the corner of Madras and Hereford Streets, Christchurch.

“The Christchurch Transitional (or Cardboard) Cathedral is part of that property.

“When we resume worship and other activities in the Cathedral in the Square, planned for late 2027, the Transitional Cathedral building will no longer be required as a cathedral.

“The Synod has requested that a working group explore all issues regarding the future of the land and buildings on the corner of Madras and Hereford Streets, and report back to Synod in 2024.

"The Transitional Cathedral will be the working cathedral of the Anglican Diocese of Christchurch until the day we re-open the Cathedral in the Square, at the end of 2027.”

Bishop Carrell said “whatever decisions are made about the future of the site on the corner of Madras and Barbadoes Streets, where the Transitional Cathedral is sited, nothing will change until that day.

“There is no commitment to selling the site. It is a possibility but there are other possibilities and the working group requested by the Synod will look into a range of possible futures for the site.

“The Synod was very clear that for some Cantabrians, there is a strong attachment to the Transitional Cathedral - it is an award winning, iconic building designed by one of the world's leading architects.

“How the building might be retained and who might take responsibility for its future maintenance and insurance costs is something we will be looking into. But we are clear that we will only have one Anglican Cathedral in Christchurch from the end of 2027.”