St. Paul's Cathedral
228 Stuart St., Central Dunedin, Dunedin, Otago, 9016
Dunedin’s St. Paul’s Cathedral is the “Mother Church” of the Anglican Diocese in Dunedin. It’s a landmark in the central-city Octagon and stands out–physically and philosophically–in Presbyterian-dominant Dunedin. The cathedral was first built in 1863, but the materials were poor, and the original design was never completed. What exists today was constructed throughout the 20th century.
The basics
Almost everyone who visits Dunedin spends time in the Octagon at some point, the central hub around which many of the city’s prominent landmarks lie. The Anglican St. Paul’s Cathedral is one of these, on the north-western side of the Octagon, behind the famous Robert Burns statue. It’s identifiable by its neo-gothic style, stained glass windows, and the large organ inside.
Many travelers simply check out the cathedral from the outside, but visitors are welcome inside just to look around or attend a concert or a Sunday service. Most people will check it out while looking at other landmarks in the Octagon, around Moray Place, and the nearby Dunedin Railway Station.
Things to know before you go
Casual visitors are welcome to drop into the cathedral, and there’s no fee.
The cathedral periodically hosts concerts, such as male-voice choirs and orchestral concerts. Up-to-date programs can be found on the cathedral’s website.
To hear the cathedral’s impressive 3,500-piped organ in action, visit during a Sunday service.
How to get there
St. Pau’s Cathedral is in the center of Dunedin, in the Octagon, so it is difficult to miss. Many visitors to Dunedin stay in or around the Octagon, and it’s the starting or converging point of many bus routes through the city.
When to get there
The cathedral holds services on Sunday mornings and evenings if you want to visit for worship. Otherwise, visitors are welcome between mid-morning and mid-afternoon every day of the week. It’s especially festive around major Christian holidays, particularly Christmas and Easter.
Visit the First Church of Otago
St. Paul’s Anglican Cathedral isn’t the only grand old church in Dunedin: the Presbyterian First Church of Otago on nearby Moray Place is also worth a visit. The soaring spire of the church, built in 1873, is dramatically different from the structure of its Anglican counterpart. Worshipers can visit on Sundays for English, Cook Islands Maori, and Samoan services.
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