Site Visit: Erskine Chapel

Join NAWIC Wellington members on a tour of the Erskine Chapel in Island Bay.

Join us for a special visit to the Erskine Chapel, a masterpiece designed by the renowned architect John Sydney Swan at the invitation of the Sacré Coeur nuns. Swan, one of Wellington’s most important architects of the early twentieth century, also designed the school’s main block two decades earlier. The chapel, constructed in 1929-30 using unreinforced brick masonry, timber, steel, and concrete, stands as New Zealand’s finest example of French Gothic architecture, heavily influenced by a chapel in Alsace Lorraine.

Recently restored and seismically strengthened at a cost of over $7 million, largely funded by The Wellington Company, the chapel is now a premier venue for special events. The seismic work included strengthening unreinforced masonry buttresses with steel, tying back other masonry, reinforcing gable end walls, and installing new steel diaphragms. Despite these modern upgrades, the chapel retains its original 1930 charm, with much of the structural work hidden from view. The reroofing project maintained the heritage ochre red colour, and significant refurbishments were made to the carpentry, leadlight windows, and Carrara marble.

Aside from modern lighting, bathrooms, and air-conditioning, Erskine Chapel remains largely as it was when first opened. Don't miss the opportunity to experience this architectural gem and piece of Wellington's heritage.

Visit the Erskine Chapel website for more information: https://www.erskinechapel.co.n... 

DATE & TIME: Thursday 5th September 2024, 5pm - 6:30pm

VENUE: Erskine Chapel, 31 Avon Street, Island Bay, Wellington 6023

COST: FREE to NAWIC members, $10 for non-members. 

BRING: No PPE required.

Please note: NAWIC is a voluntary organisation, committed to its obligations as a PCBU under the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015.   Amongst other things, this requires NAWIC to take all practicable steps to eliminate, isolate or minimize hazards that our event attendees are exposed to. Health and safety is a shared responsibility.