In Wellington, New Zealand, there’s a wooden church that’s a church by name but not by nature. From the outside, it’s small, cream, nineteenth-century, Gothic Revival. Quaint.
When the ‘open’ sign is displayed, visitors are welcome. And when they step inside, many exclaim ‘Wow!’. They don’t expect to see an interior composed entirely of rich native timbers like kauri, rimu, totara and matai. The eye goes straight to the vault, which resembles the upturned hull of an ancient vessel. And visitors don’t expect an old church to smell so good. The timber has not lost its fragrant essence over the centuries. It reminded me of a small cedar box I own; I’ve had it for thirty years, yet with each opening of the lid it releases a heady fragrance forcing me to inhale deeply. And so it was when I entered this church. I wanted to return, to worship. But it now serves only for concerts and events like weddings.
Ailsa has posted a challenge this week for photos evoking a particular fragrance. For anyone who has been inside Old St Paul’s in Wellington, this photo will have you breathing and remembering.
Oh my goodness! I think that is the most gorgeous Church I have ever seen. The detail is amazing! And the charm? So full of charm! Love this!
Cool!!!
I’m so glad you love it. I wonder what the architect and builders would think if they knew it was now just for events, and not services, having made such a beautiful and unusual church …
As lovely as the outside is, I never expected the inside to be so fabulous! And fragrance too. 😉
It was like walking through an aromatic forest. Glad you were surprised!
Wow…I will have to put that on my to see list next time I go to Wellington. I had no idea it existed…what a beauty
It’s very close to the city centre. Take someone who doesn’t know what’s inside, and don’t tell them. It’s a great surprise!
My daughter loves Wellington. But she has never mentioned this…so I might have to try to go with her I think.
Very surprising short photo-story, I agree. In the ‘developed’ world (read over-developed), so much of the charming architecture gets ripped down in the name of progress. What pleasure to see a people preserve their heritage. And I bet the acoustics for the concerts are dramatic.
I expect that in the past there were native timbers used in buildings in your part of the Pacific, too. We don’t see them much any more, now that native trees are protected in most places. Architecture these days is based on cheap timber that has to be painted, but look what we miss out on!
I enjoyed both the image and the writing.
Thanks Mona for both the compliments.
I can almost smell the timber from your description!
Thanks Candia. It’s tricky to describe a smell!