Three-day celebration for Palmerston North cathedral centenary

By CathNews New Zealand

March 21st, 2025

The Cathedral of the Holy Spirit, Palmerston North (Mike Dickison/Wikimedia Commons)

The 100th anniversary of the Cathedral of the Holy Spirit in Palmerston North is being marked with three days of celebrations, starting today. Source: Manawatu Standard.

The celebrations begin on March 21 at the cathedral on Broadway Ave with a liturgy of thanksgiving starting at 6.30pm, followed by a centenary welcome led by Bishop John Adams and a social hour with viewing of the cathedral.

On Saturday, March 22, Mass at 9am will be followed by a musical and choral festival from 10.30am to 5pm. People from different cultures and groups within the Church will sing in the cathedral, which is noted for its fine acoustics. Choral groups, organists, pianists, schools and various Church groups will perform.

Visitors will also have the opportunity to view some of the cathedral’s treasures and to enjoy refreshments. A light lunch will be provided by members of the parish community.

On Sunday, March 23, a thanksgiving Mass will be celebrated, followed by hospitality.

Parish manager Steph Grantham said the cathedral wanted to welcome everyone in the city to come and have a look. She said they had approached a number of groups to attend to help celebrate the diversity of the parish.

The building was the third Catholic church in the city and cost £31,600 when it was opened on March 22, 1925. It was blessed by Wellington Archbishop Francis Redwood.

The building was opened as St Patrick’s Church, and it was designed by the notable architect Frederick de Jersey Clere. He also designed St Mary of the Angel’s Church and the former St Gerard’s Monastery in Wellington.

When Palmerston North Diocese was established in 1980, the church was rededicated to the Holy Spirit as the cathedral. It was renovated, added to and reordered in 1988. The building was designated a Category 1 historic place by the New Zealand Historic Places Trust in 1990.

FULL STORY

Palmerston North Catholic cathedral turns 100 | The Post (By George Heagney/Manawatu Standard – subscription required)

Newsletter 9 March – 1st Sunday of Lent (Cathedral of the Holy Spirit)

Cathedral of the Holy Spirit | Diocese of Palmerston North (Catholic Diocese of Palmerston North)

Cathedral of the Holy Spirit Centenary | Diocese of Palmerston North (Catholic Diocese of Palmerston North)