Sacred Heart Basilica, Timaru
| Sacred Heart Basilica | |
|---|---|
Sacred Heart Basilica, Timaru
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| 44°24′06″S 171°14′51″E / 44.4016°S 171.2475°ECoordinates: 44°24′06″S 171°14′51″E / 44.4016°S 171.2475°E | |
| Location | Timaru, South Canterbury |
| Country | New Zealand |
| Denomination | Catholic |
| Website | Sacred Heart Church |
| History | |
| Founded | 25 October 1874 |
| Founder(s) | Father John Tubman S.M. |
| Dedication | Sacred Heart of Jesus |
| Dedicated | 1 October 1911 |
| Consecrated | 1 October 1911 |
| Architecture | |
| Functional status | parish church |
| Heritage designation | Category I |
| Designated | 2 April 1982 |
| Architect(s) | Francis Petre |
| Architectural type |
Palladian Revival Byzantine Revival |
| Style | Roman Renaissance |
| Groundbreaking | 6 February 1910 |
| Completed | 1911 |
| Construction cost | £23,000 |
| Specifications | |
| Capacity | 1,000 seated |
| Administration | |
| Parish | Sacred Heart |
| Diocese | Christchurch |
| Province | Wellington |
The Sacred Heart Basilica or Timaru Basilica, as it is popularly known because of its style of architecture, is a Catholic church in Timaru, New Zealand. It was designed by the prominent New Zealand architect, Francis Petre and is one of his most celebrated works. Its great size and beauty make it one of the most important historic buildings of Timaru and of the South Canterbury region. The Basilica's twin towers and copper cupola are highly visible features of the Timaru skyline, especially from the south. The Basilica is also one of the "most noteworthy examples of ecclesiastical architecture" in New Zealand with elements of "Roman and Byzantine architecture with touches of Art Nouveau decoration." It is a registered historic place, category 1.
The Basilica of the Sacred Heart is the third church built on the Craigie Avenue property. A wooden chapel was opened on 25 October 1874, and was replaced three years later by a larger church. Increasing numbers of parishioners dictated the need for a further, and even larger building. The inspiration for the design of the Basilica came during a visit to the United States by the Parish Priest Father John Tubman. His brother was a priest at the Catholic cathedral of Reno, Nevada, and Fr Tubman was impressed with the design of that church. So it is that the exterior of the Timaru Basilica bears resemblance to the Saint Thomas Aquinas Cathedral, Reno.
Upon his return to Timaru in 1907 Fr. Tubman had plans drawn up, based on photographs he brought back with him. The plans were drawn by the noted Dunedin architect, Francis Petre. Although Fr. Tubman thought the plan for the proposed building too ambitious, he was encouraged to continue the large project by the Bishop of Christchurch, John Grimes S.M. Fr. Tubman had at the time £7,000. In order to maintain the budget, the tradesmen were paid at the end of each day. Bart Moriarty, a surveyor, was engaged to oversee the construction. Many district farmers contributed their labour and materials. Farmers at the Levels felled blue gums to use as scaffolding, and transported them to the site. Parishioners from St Andrews carted sand and shingle to the railhead and at Timaru, off-loaded, and carted it by bullock teams to the site. It was not uncommon to see Father Tubman climbing ladders and scaffolding to check progress.
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Wikipedia