Christ Nelson New Zealand Cathedral stands on the site of a Maori pa destroyed by Te Rauparaha. In 1842 the New Zealand Land Company established a settlement here. After the Wairau affray the settlers, fearful of attack, fortified the settlement, calling it Fort Arthur in honor of their leader Arthur Wakefield, who was killed in the affray. The first Christ Nelson New Zealand Cathedral on this site was built in 1850. Work on the cathedral was begun in 1925, and after various changes to the plan, partly to make the building earthquake-proof, it was finally completed in 1967.
Christ Nelson New Zealand Cathedral Chapel Services, Holy Communion Services are held in the chapel of Christ the King At 12-15pm on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. Also Wednesday 10am and Saturday at 8am.
Christ Nelson New Zealand Cathedral Sunday Service in January 8am. Holy Communion (1662 Prayer Book) 10am Holy Communion (NZ Prayer Book) 6pm. Evening Prayer.
Christ Nelson New Zealand Cathedral The Young People The clergy and parishioners of Nelson Cathedral. see the young people as a vital part of the ministry and life of the fellowship. Sunday School and Creche are offered during the 10am services and all age groups are involved in leading the worship at the monthly Family Communion service. There is also a Youth Group for those in forms 3-7 that meets once a week.
The Friends of Christ Nelson New Zealand Cathedral. The Friends was launched in 1972 to support the life, work and well being of the Cathedral. Being a Friend is another opportunity to share in Christian fellowship. The Friends are now looking forward to the future and invite new people to join.
The Christ Nelson New Zealand Cathedral Choir sings the traditional music of the Anglican Church at the 10am and 6pm services. The choir is comprised of boys with unchanged voices and girls of school age on the top part , plus altos, tenors and basses.
The Christ Nelson New Zealand Cathedral choir rehearses on Thursdays – Juniors from 4pm to 5.10pm and the full choir from 5.30pm to 7pm – as well as before each service.
Christ Nelson New Zealand Cathedral Membership enquiries are welcomed at any time. The Director of Music. Contact Details on Directory Page
Christ Nelson New Zealand Cathedral Choral Scholarships for Junior Choristers. The Cathedral offers Choral Scholarships to singers aged from about age 8 up to the end of secondary school. By then a sum which could amount to several hundred dollars will be accumulated to help with tertiary study. Please ask for an information leaflet.
Joining the Christ Nelson New Zealand Cathedral Choir. After an initial voice test a child joins as a probationer. During this period an assessment is made of effort, attitude, musical potential and attendance. If this is satisfactory the child is admitted to the choir. It is helpful if a musical instrument is being learnt. It is not necessary that a chorister comes from an Anglican background.
At what age should a child join? In order to benefit fully from the graded system of tuition, and to make a contribution as an experience member of the choir, a child should begin by 9 or 10 years of age. However older children, especially those with previous musical and singing experience, are welcomed.
Musical training. The Christ Nelson New Zealand Cathedral Choir uses the Royal School of Church Music Choristers’ Training Scheme, which is a graded system of instruction in musical, liturgical and social skills. There are three ranks that a chorister can achieve and each takes about a year to reach. The liturgical requirements of the Cathedral provide more demanding deadlines than other Choirs – a challenge which bright musical children enjoy. Those who take advantage of the training achieve above average skills in sight reading, part singing and general musical application, as well as increased confidence and self-discipline. There are trips away and the opportunity to attend holiday courses in other parts of the country.
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