Our Lady Star of the Sea Chapel

• 1923
• Erect convent chapel (00055:16:A1568)
• 2012
• Seismic strengthening – SR 233024 & 230404

• 1924
• Sisters of Mercy
• 2002
• Unoccupied

Not assessed

The Chapel of Our Lady, Star of the Sea is two storeys high. The upper level consists of the Chapel proper and the lower level consists of rooms for noviciate training. A long covered stairway (1925) links the Chapel with the Retreat House.

The building is a good representative example of Frederick de Jersey Clere’s skill in Gothic Revival design. The architect employed a standard repertoire of lancet windows, steep-pitched gables, flying buttresses, but minimal decoration. The plain red brick exterior relies on the bold, clear massing of elements for its visual interest, deriving three dimensional life from the gabled transepts and eight-sided apsidal sanctuary. This last element has subtle overtones of the French Chateau style, and this is possibly because a convent proposed for the site was to have been built in this style.

The interior of the Chapel is comparatively large and is noted for its fine acoustics. Rectangular in shape, one of the features of the interior is an apsidal sanctuary with a radiating roof truss in Jarrah. The interior furnishings match the character of the building. The Gothic altar is of Carrara marble, the stained glass windows are from the Munich studios of F.X. Zettler. On the west gable is a memorial window to Sister M. Cecilia Benbow, featuring St Cecilia.

The building is an important landmark in Seatoun and it contributes significantly to the character of the area as a result. It is constructed of red brick on concrete foundations. The roof is Welsh slate over a jarrah truss system, while the interior panelling is made of oiled rimu.

Brick masonry on concrete foundations

Welsh slate roof on a jarrah truss system

Interior panelling of oiled rimu

Our Lady of the Star of the Sea is situated within the Star of the Sea Historic Area (as registered by the New Zealand Historic Places Trust), an area which is situated on the eastern hillside of Miramar Peninsula overlooking the suburb of Seatoun. The historic area also contains a former Catholic school and convent. Although connected to the former school by an enclosed walkway, the chapel stands apart from the surrounding buildings. Due to its prominent position on the hillside, the chapel is highly visible from many parts of Seatoun. Although the chapel and surrounding historic area is private-property members of the public can still view the building from Fettes Crescent.

• Architectural

  Does the item have architectural or artistic value for characteristics that may include its design, style, era, form, scale, materials, colour, texture, patina of age, quality of space, craftsmanship, smells, and sounds?

  The Chapel of Our Lady, Star of the Sea, is a good representative example of a Gothic Revival chapel by well known ecclesiastical architect Frederick de Jersey Clere. The building is notable for its outstanding site and bold form, and the interior is known for its fine acoustics.

• Group

  Is the item part of a group of buildings, structures, or sites that taken together have coherence because of their age, history, style, scale, materials, or use?

  The building is part of the Star of the Sea Historic Area (as listed by New Zealand Historic Places Trust), an area containing buildings which formerly belonged to the Sisters of Mercy and were part of their convent school, Star of the Sea.

• Townscape

  Does the item have townscape value for the part it plays in defining a space or street; providing visual interest; its role as a landmark; or the contribution it makes to the character and sense of place of Wellington?

  The building has landmark value for its outstanding site and bold form.

• Association

  Is the item associated with an important person, group, or organisation?

  The building is associated with the Sisters of Mercy, a Catholic order which inhabited the area until the late 1980s. It commemorates one of the pioneering Sisters of Mercy who arrived in Wellington in 1873.

• Archaeological

  Does the item have archaeological value for its ability to provide scientific information about past human activity?

  Unknown risk

• Identity Sense Of Place Continuity

  Is the item a focus of community, regional, or national identity? Does the item contribute to sense of place or continuity?

  The building has been a prominent feature on the Seatoun landscape for over 90 years contributes to the suburb’s sense of place, continuity and identity.

• Public Esteem

  Is the item held in high public esteem?

  The building is held in high public esteem, and this can be seen from the public outcry when the building was proposed for demolition in 2007.

• Sentiment Connection

  Is the item a focus of community sentiment and connection?

  The building has sentimental value to former Sisters and pupils, as well as members of the wider Catholic community who attended ceremonies there.

• Symbolic Commemorative Traditional Spiritual

  Does the item have symbolic, commemorative, traditional, spiritual or other cultural value for the community who has used and continues to use it?

  The building has spiritual value to both the Sisters of Mercy and the wider Catholic community.

• Authentic

  Does the item have authenticity or integrity because it retains significant fabric from the time of its construction or from later periods when important additions or modifications were carried out?

  The building has retained a significant amount of its original fabric and features therefore it has authenticity.

• Local Regional National International

  Is the item important for any of the above characteristics at a local, regional, national, or international level?

  Because of its historical association with the Sisters of Mercy, the Wellington Catholic community and the suburb of Seatoun, the building is important on a local level
  

Not assessed

• McKenzie, J. ‘Star of the Sea Precinct: report prepared for the New Zealand Historic Places Trust.’ Wellington: 1984.
• New Zealand Historic Places Trust. ‘Star of the Sea Historic Area.’ Accessed 1 October 2012.
• New Zealand Historic Places Trust. ‘Our Lady of the Star of the Sea Convent Chapel.’ Accessed 24 August 2012.
• New Zealand Historic Places Trust Professional Biographies. ‘Frederick de Jersey Clere.’ Accessed 24 August 2012.
• ‘Sir Peter Jackson quake-strengthening chapel’ DomPost 11/02/2012
• Stellamaris Retreat and Conference Centre: Information Brochure.
• Wellington City Council. ‘16 Fettes Crescent Seatoun.’ Wellington Heritage Building Inventory 2001: Non-Residential Buildings. Wellington City Council, 2001. FETT1.

• Inventory Report
• 1923 specifications and plans

Not available