Special Sisters of Mercy image gifted to Marian College

A window in the Rose Historic Chapel in Colombo St depicts the Blessed Virgin Mary and the Christ-Child, alongside Venerable Catherine McAuley and a child. A print of the window was presented to Marian College by Nga Whaea Atawhai o Aotearoa Sisters of Mercy New Zealand.

The artwork holds deep significance, not only as a tribute to Marian College’s Mercy charism, but also to its historical connection with the former St Mary’s College, which merged with MacKillop College in 1982 to form Marian.

The print now takes pride of place in Marian’s Catherine McAuley Library, named to honour the school’s Mercy foundation, and is already being appreciated by students in their day-to-day lives.

Principal Mary-Lou Davidson said: “We are very grateful to the Sisters for this beautiful gift and their constant support of Marian College. Our school charisms and history are central to the culture of Marian, and now our students can see this every day in the image of Mary and Venerable Catherine McAuley.”

The vision for the Rose Historic Chapel came from Mother Mary Mechtildes RSM, who wanted a chapel on their Colombo St site. The foundation stone was laid in March 1910. On February 26, 1911, Bishop Grimes opened and blessed the chapel. Built in Early English Gothic Revival ecclesiastical style, the exterior uses Halswell stone edged with contrasting Oamaru stone. It has a category II classification from Heritage New Zealand.

The then-Projects and Properties Committee of the Christchurch City Council purchased the building and its environs in 1994. The building was extensively damaged in the 2011 Christchurch earthquake, but restoration work was done and it was reopened in 2018. The chapel is now used as a wedding and cultural events venue.

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