St Patrick's Basilica, Oamaru
| St Patrick's Basilica | |
|---|---|
St Patrick's Basilica frontage
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| 45°05′34″S 170°58′11″E / 45.09266°S 170.9696°ECoordinates: 45°05′34″S 170°58′11″E / 45.09266°S 170.9696°E | |
| Location | Oamaru, North Otago |
| Country | New Zealand |
| Denomination | Roman Catholic |
| History | |
| Founded | 18 November 1894 |
| Dedication | St Patrick |
| Architecture | |
| Status | Parish church |
| Functional status | Active |
| Heritage designation | Category I (No 58) |
| Designated | 2 April 2004 |
| Architect(s) | Francis Petre |
| Architectural type | Palladian Revival |
| Style | Roman Renaissance |
| Groundbreaking | Trinity Sunday 1893 |
| Completed | 8 December 1918 |
| Construction cost | £13,000 |
| Specifications | |
| Materials | Oamaru stone |
| Administration | |
| Parish | St Patrick's |
| Diocese | Dunedin |
| Province | Wellington |
| Designated | 2 April 2004 |
| Reference no. | 58 |
The St Patrick's Basilica or Oamaru Basilica, as it is popularly known because of its style of architecture, is a Catholic church in Oamaru, New Zealand. It was designed by the prominent New Zealand architect Francis Petre and is one of his most celebrated works. It is one of the most important historic buildings of Oamaru and of the North Otago region. The Basilica's classical portico and three domes are an admired feature of the Oamaru townscape and the building is particularly noted for the high quality of the stone carving and fine plasterwork of its architectural features. The Basilica "must surely have one of the most noble church interiors in the country. Built entirely of Oamaru stone the exterior has weathered more than one would have expected, but inside the church glows with reflected light from the creamy stone which is virtually in its original state." "The interior is bathed in abundant natural light, and with clear glass rather than stained in the high nave windows, the quality of light is enhanced."
St Patricks Basilica is an important example the work of Francis Petre. The Basilica is an aesthetically imposing building that makes a vital contribution to the streetscape. It stands at the end of a long street (Usk St) leading from the Oamaru shore and ending at the great portico of the building. This Portico is composed of eight Corinthian columns of Oamaru stone (six in front, two behind), whose pedestals rest on elongated plinths, and a high pediment closely reflecting those of a Roman or Greek temple. However, the church's palladian heritage is emphasised by the front dome on each side and the great dome behind. The Irish character of the church's early clergy and congregation is attested to by the great statues of St Columba on the left and St Patrick on the right. The building's bulk, form and architectural styling are impressive. The interior is richly decorated, with two impressive ranges of carved limestone Corinthian columns creating colonnades along the nave, completed by the pressed zinc ceilings, wooden pews and religious sculptures. Light floods in from the clerestory above. On the ceiling plaster cornices frame the richly ornamented pressed-zinc panels. "The Basilica is culturally significant emphasising the importance of the Roman Catholic Church to Oamaru, and is a landmark for the town. The design is technically accomplished and forms a vital element in Petre's Basilican architectural ouvre and the building is among his most well known and iconic works. The Basilica is an important component in Oamaru's white-stone architecture, characteristic of the township, and is as well the key component of the group of buildings associated with the Catholic Church in Oamaru [(presbytery, school buildings and large convent- all located near the Basilica)] ."
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