Mass among celebrations for Futuna Chapel reopening

The reopening involved a series of events beginning with a Māori blessing followed by a Catholic Mass, honouring the chapel’s spiritual and cultural heritage. The Mass was celebrated by Msgr Gerard Burns and Fr Joy Thottamkara CSsR.

An official opening ceremony followed, with the chapel formally reopened by Wellington Mayor Andrew Little.

Formerly the centrepiece of the Society of Mary’s Futuna Retreat House complex of buildings, Futuna Chapel opened in 1961. In the early 2000s, the Marists sold the entire property to a development company, which subdivided it.

Wellington City Council, the family of architect John Scott and the architectural community came together, and ultimately the building was retained and given its own land parcel and open lawn. The Friends of Futuna Charitable Trust was formed, and took possession of the Chapel in 2007, repairing and refurbishing it.

The Chapel has architectural and aesthetic significance for the creative unity between architect John Scott, artist Jim Allen and the team of Marist lay carpenters, who together created it. The building is widely celebrated as a landmark of modernism in New Zealand architecture.

The current restoration project has been 10 years in the planning. The work has included fixing the roof, strengthening and repainting coloured acrylic windows and installing new flashings. The new roof is tiled in porcelain from Fiorano Modenese in Italy. The Trust still needs to find another $500,000 to cover outstanding costs.

Today the building operates as a spiritual and architectural retreat, and hosts ceremonies and services, concerts, lectures and events.

FULL STORY

Futuna Chapel Reopens After Major Restoration (Futuna Trust)

Facebook (Futuna Trust)

Heritage New Zealand – Futuna Chapel