The Original Plans for St Josephs

The Original Plan of the Cathedral

The original plan for the Cathedral was in the form of a cross. Over the transepts within the four pillars of the sanctuary, a great tower with its spire rising to 200 feet was planning. Towards the end of 1885, Bishop Moran announced that only Nave and aisles would be completed at this stage. A temporary Sanctuary was built within the area above which the tower would eventually arise, with temporary sacristies son the south side and a nun's chapel on the north side of the transepts. This temporary structure has remained. The Cathedral cost 22,500 pounds. The final size of the Cathedral would have been twice as long as it is now. Note the sketch of the proposed Cathedral drawn by Mr H. W. Davey hanging on the inside wall to the left of the main entrance door. Even in its unfinished state, the Cathedral shows the excellence of Mr F. W. Petre's design.

Copies of the Original plans of Mr F. W. Petre, Engineer and Architect

The Diocesan Archives hold eight-seven sheets of the original drawings of the Cathedral by Mr. Petre. Some of the drawings are on heavy paper, others are drawn on linen. The drawings are in pencil and then inked over with a spring-bow pen. Every detail concerning the Cathedral is finely executed on his plans. It is said that Mr Petre's drawings of stones, window traceries, arches and ornamentation were so exact and accurate that the contractors could work from the one drawing sheet. The more one studies Mr Petre's plans, the more one admires his spirit of dedication and the laborious effort involved in drawing in such detail the original and modified plans of the Cathedral.

1.

1 This is a modified plan taken from the original plan drawn on linen which shows the complete Cathedral envisaged
by Mr Petre. The shaded section is in pencil and was not part of Parker and McNamara's contract.

2.

2 An ink drawing of the next section which fits on the shaded part of the No. 1 drawing. This is the front parapet and the North Tower, showing in great detail the Oamaru stone carved pinnacles, the stone work and the white stone quoins surrounding the totara louvre openings. Mr Petre also shows on this plan the roof section of the choir gallery.
The North Tower was not built until June 1886.

3. 4.

3 The coloured glass arrangement plan for the Rose Window in the back wall of the temporary sanctuary.

4 The architect's design for the stained glass Rose Window in the choir gallery.

5.

5 The drawing of the Oamaru stone parapet and the seven clerestory windows.

6.

6 An interior view of the main entrance into the Cathedral, and the carved niches for the holy water fonts.

7.

7 Detailed drawings by Mr Petre of the front iron gates and fencing.