St Patrick's Basilica, Waimate
St Patrick's Basilica as it is known because of its style of architecture,[1] was built in 1908–1909, with the tower added in 1912.[2] It is located in Waimate, South Canterbury, New Zealand. It is an Italianate-Romanesque style with an arcaded portico and the tower is impressively louvred.[3] The Basilica was built in brick and Oamaru stone to a design by Francis William Petre and has been described as his most original work. Three bells in the tower were cast in Belgium, with the largest bell weighing 3/4 of ton and the other two weighing 1/2 ton each. The tower at the top was built in 1912 and is 45ft high.[4] Within is a fine Hobday pipe organ, a marble altar and a notable sanctuary window.[5] The Basilica is listed by Heritage New Zealand as a Historic Place, Category 1.[3]
| St Patrick's Basilica | |
|---|---|
 St Patrick's Basilica, Waimate | |
| |
| 44.7308°S 171.0515°E | |
| Location | Waimate, South Canterbury |
| Country | New Zealand |
| Denomination | Catholic |
| Website | St Patrick's Basilica, Waimate |
| History | |
| Founded | 1874 |
| Dedication | St Patrick |
| Dedicated | 1909 |
| Architecture | |
| Functional status | parish church |
| Architect(s) | Francis Petre |
| Architectural type | Palladian Revival |
| Style | Roman Renaissance |
| Groundbreaking | 1908 |
| Completed | 1909 |
| Administration | |
| Parish | St Patrick's |
| Diocese | Christchurch |
| Province | Wellington |
| Designated | 25 October 1996 |
| Reference no. | 7343 |
References
- In Roman Catholic ecclesiastical terms, St Patrick's Basilica is not a Minor basilica. See: List of minor basilicas in the world.
- St Patrick's Parish, Waimate 1865-1965. Waimate: St Patrick's Parish. 1965. p. 16.
- Heritage New Zealand (4 March 2015). "St Patrick's Church (Catholic)". Retrieved 4 March 2015.
- "The Churches of Waimate, South Canterbury". 4 March 2015. Retrieved 4 March 2015.
- South Canterbury: Historical Guide. Timaru: South Canterbury District Committee of the New Zealand Historical Places Trust. 1991. pp. 80 & 81. ISBN 0-908577-17-6.
