Rose Historic Chapel

The Rose Historic Chapel, formerly known as the St Mary's Convent Chapel, is a heritage-listed stone church building located in Colombo Street in Christchurch, New Zealand. It is registered as a "Historic Place – Category II " by the New Zealand Historic Places Trust. The building was designed in the Gothic Revival style and erected in 1910.

Rose Historic Chapel
The Rose Historic Chapel following the February 2011 earthquake
LocationChristchurch Central City, Christchurch
CountryNew Zealand
DenominationCatholic
WebsiteOfficial website
Architecture
Architect(s)Sidney and Alfred Luttrell
Architectural typeGothic Revival style
Designated14 July 1995[1]
Reference no.7239

History

The first Bishop of Christchurch, John Grimes (1842–1915), arrived in Christchurch in February 1888. He provided leadership to the Catholic community, and worked towards uniting the class differences, political opinions and different nationalities of the settlers. During his reign, many churches and buildings were constructed, including the Sisters of Mercy St Mary's Convent. For his silver jubilee as a bishop, he was invested with several ecclesiastical honours for his contributions.[1][2]

The Sisters of Mercy arrived in Christchurch in 1894, when under the guidance of Mother Mary Bernard (1810/1811?–1895), St Marys Parish School and Convent was established.[1][3] The chapel, built in 1910, is the last remaining building of the St Mary's Convent, the rest of the complex having been demolished in 1994.[4] The chapel was designed by the brothers Alfred Edgar Luttrell and Edward Sidney Luttrell; this was their first commission by the Diocese of Christchurch[1] and they became their unofficial diocesan architects, designing many more churches and other buildings.[5]

It was purchased by the Christchurch City Council, who renovated the building in association with the Rose Chapel Trust and Friends of the Chapel.[4] The chapel was damaged during the 2011 Christchurch earthquake.[6]

Heritage listing

On 14 July 1995, the chapel was registered by the New Zealand Historic Places Trust as a Category II historic place, with the registration number being 7239. The chapel is significant for its aesthetics (especially the stained glass windows), its architecture (the Luttrell brothers are known for their well designed churches), cultural importance (as a religious teaching place) and spiritual life for the nuns.[1]

References
  1. "St Mary's Convent Chapel". The Register. New Zealand Historic PlacesTrust. Retrieved 27 February 2011.
  2. O'Meeghan, Michael (1 September 2010). "Grimes, John Joseph – Biography". Dictionary of New Zealand Biography. Retrieved 3 March 2011.
  3. Abel, G. B. (1 September 2010). "Dickson, Mary Bernard – Biography". Dictionary of New Zealand Biography. Retrieved 3 March 2011.
  4. "The Rose Historic Chapel". Archived from the original on 24 July 2011. Retrieved 27 February 2011.
  5. McEwan, Ann (1 September 2010). "Luttrell, Edward Sidney and Alfred Edgar – Biography". Dictionary of New Zealand Biography. Retrieved 3 March 2011.
  6. "No mercy for churches in New Zealand earthquake". Adelaidenow. 24 February 2011. Retrieved 27 February 2011.
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