1867
CATHEDRAL
History
The hill on which the Cathedral Church stands is known as Cathedral Hill Pukerangiora. The hill was a well-known tribal landmark named after the native flora, rangiora, that grew on its summit in pre-European times. It stems from rangi meaning sky; ora meaning life; puke meaning hill; thus the name Pukerangiora can mean literally the hill of the life giving heaven.
On Victoria Street at the foot of Pukerangiora there is a plaque in Māori and English describing the story of the hill. The plaque recalls many centuries of ancestral occupation by the people of Tainui. There has been considerable debate about whether there existed a Pā on Pukerangiora but there seems to be no evidence of this from traditional Māori accounts.
In the 1860’s, during the reign of King Tāwhaio, war broke out in Waikato as a result of the colonisation process. Large scale, illegal confiscation of Tainui land resulted. During this time a British signal post was built on this hill, the trenches of which remain under the Cathedral.
THE BEGINNINGS OF ST PETER'S
The first Hamilton Anglican church was nearly completed in 1867 when it was burnt down. Despite a world-wide depression another church was completed in about 1871. However, no one was satisfied with it so it was sold to the Waikato Times for £105 with services then being held at the Courthouse.
The Anglican congregation lacking a church and the town lacking a public hall, it was thought both economical and fulfilling a common need if all parties combined to obtain both. The Hall was completed in 1881.
In 1884 on land at the foot of the present Cathedral the church was dedicated and consecrated in 1887. A new hall which was not shared with the local community was built in 1893. The new church however was built with Kahikatea and was badly affected by borer and a fund was set up to enable another new church to be built..
THE CATHEDRAL WE KNOW TODAY
Modelled on a 15th Century Norfolk Church and designed in ferro-concrete by Warren and Blechynden of Hamilton, the present St Peter’s was completed in 1916 and was the fourth church to be built in the area and the third on this site.
St Peter’s Cathedral is the mother church for the Anglican Diocese of Waikato and Taranaki and shares this role with St Mary’s Cathedral in new Plymouth. The Cathedral is also a vibrant parish in its own right with the Dean of the Cathedral as its Vicar.
Last update: RH 16/05/2020
Books detailing the Cathedral History
Three Score Years and Fifteen
(48 pages with illustrations)
Compiled by Paul & Gabrielle Day
One Hundred Not Out
(70 pages with illustrations)
Written by Ray & Ann Harlow
The Waikato Cathedral Church of St Peter
(40 pages with illustrations)
Written by Bishop David Moxon
These books are available from The Cathedral Shop.