Praying in Cardboard Cathedral in Christchurch NZ

I recited my first prayer this year to Jesus in a cardboard Cathedral in Christchurch, New Zealand. It’s the newest Cathedral in the country. The only Cathedral in the world made substantially of cardboard. And it was glorious!

I am lucky enough to have prayed in a few famous Cathedrals around the world, but the serenity and beauty I felt inside this church, which I stumbled upon randomly after a brunch, were extraordinary. It got me curious about it and I did a little google on it on the way South parts of New Zealand South Island.

Cardboard Cathedral Design

The cardboard cathedral was designed by a Japanese architect Shigeru Ban, who has designed a similar church in Kobe post-earthquake hit. He also designed other amazing architecture around the world. My favorites are House of Light and Shadow and Vin Sante + House; both located in Tokyo.

I’ll be honest I did look closer to see whether there were any Japanese culture and art influence on the Cathedral design, but I found none.

Christchurch Cardboard Cathedral is made of cardboard, local wood, and steel in a little over two years. Built to last half a century and earthquake-proof, the Cardboard Cathedral is designed with waves of cardboard tubes drawing the eye and the attention towards the cross and the altar. The church can hold up to 700 people at its maximum capacity. But even then, I think it would still feel spacious thanks to the abundance of natural lights.

The Cathedral also has a small gift shop inside it which of course I was delighted by. I got my cousin Wani a postcard from here.

Cathedrals are the embodiment of hope and quiet beauty. It’s a meeting place for the spirits and faith. And the Cardboard Cathedral in Christchurch New Zealand is a beautiful testament to it. I can only imagine how beautiful a wedding held in it will be. Not sure the church will allow a non-religious wedding to be held here, hence it’ll never be mine 🤷🏽‍♀️.