Louis John Godfrey

Sculptor and Carver

Mr Louis Mortimer Marmaduke Godfrey, Sculptor.

Carvings and Ornamentation

The stone carvings inside and outside the Cathedral were entrusted to Mr L. J. Godfrey. Although Mr F. W. Petre exercised some restraint in the use of ornamentation with the notable sculptor, the interior of St Joseph's Cathedral and the front porch abound with Mr Godfrey's carvings in Oamaru Stone. Probably no other building in Dunedin would have the number and variety of stone carvings done by Mr Godfrey and his sons. The carvings of the arch over the main door to the Cathedral, and the carvings of the capitals on the porch roof there is a cluster of foliage with birds climbing on it, and the workmanship is masterly in every detail. Within the Cathedral above the sanctuary is the carved arch of the transept, with its wreath of ivy leaves and other ornamentation done by Mr Godfrey Jnr. - in all probability Louis Mortimer Marmaduke Godfrey

Louis John Godfrey, a master craftsman who had distinguished himself in carving in London, came to Dunedin with his three sons in the early 1870's. The sons had followed the trade of their father. Probably William Larnach brought out these tradesmen, as he did with others, to work on his castle for twelve years, was responsible for much of the wood and stone carving. Although unaccustomed to carving in Oamaru stone, the Godfreys were not long in Dunedin before they were exhibiting very fine carvings of floral and animal life in the North Otago stone. With the completion of the contract at Larnach Castle, the Godfrey family remained in Dunedin working on other buildings in the city.

By May 1885, St Joseph's Cathedral was sufficiently advanced for the stone carving to begin. Under the supervision of Bishop Moran and Mr F. W. Petre, Mr L. J. Godfrey worked and directed the stone carving in the Cathedral for the next two years. Bishop Moran's Cathedral Building Cash Book shows that Mr Godfrey received over that period payments averaging about twenty-five pounds monthly to meet expenses and pay the wages of his workmen. Some of the carving was completed after the Cathedral had been opened. The High Altar, which Mr Godfrey carved, was completed almost on the opening day, February 14,1886. It is said that Mr Godfrey used to come home at night and work for hours on the kitchen table doing small models of the altar in Oamaru stone. The altar is superbly carved and is the work of a master craftsman. The Evening Herald of Saturday, February 13, 1886, in describing the Cathedral, refers to the carving, stating: "... We have only mentioned one or two of the more prominent features of the carving, but we may say generally that it is to permeate the building throughout, and that too high praise can scarcely be accorded to Mr Godfrey for the way in which he has done his work." The original High Altar, designed by F. W. Petre, with carvings by Mr Godfrey, is now in the back of the sanctuary.

The carvings, on the north and south walls, around the lower windows of the Saints and the windows of the clerestory, on the columns and in the sanctuary, and on the inside wall of the main entrance door are all different designs invented by Mr Godfey. The designs are chiefly floral, and forms of animal life. With foliage he makes use of ferns, native creepers, sweet briar, bluebells, ivy, the oak, grapes, figs and flowers. Animal carvings appear in all shapes and forms, including lizards, serpents, frogs, and birds in abundance - birds in the nest, on twigs, front and sideways, wings spread and wings folded. The invention of the artist is equalled only by the skill in execution.

Postal Address directories shows that by 1894 Mr L. J. Godfrey and other members of the family had left Dunedin. Mr Louis Mortimer Marmaduke Godfrey, who had worked on the Cathedral with his father, remained in Dunedin, and for a time lived in Duncan Street. In 1887 he had married Amelia Basset, They had two children, both daughters. He died on September 23, 1910, at the age of 50, and was buried in the Northern Cemetery.

The effect of Mr Petre's design is greatly enhanced by the Godfrey carvings in Oamaru stone. Their carvings remain one of the features which add to the beauty and glory of the Cathedral.