Historic Churches & Cemeteries

Dunedin’s religious and funerary landscape reflects its Scottish roots and Victorian prosperity. This collection features the Neo-Gothic St Paul’s and St Joseph’s cathedrals alongside historic wooden chapels like St Barnabas and St John the Evangelist. The Northern and Southern cemeteries provide insight into early settlement through elaborate Victorian masonry. These sites showcase the work of prominent architects like Francis Petre and R.A. Lawson, representing a diverse range of Anglican, Catholic, and Presbyterian heritage across the Otago Peninsula and Taieri Plains.

St Paul's Cathedral

This Anglican cathedral in the Octagon features a dramatic Gothic nave and the only stone-vaulted ceiling in New Zealand. Constructed from Oamaru stone between 1915 and 1919, it stands on the site of the city’s first parish church.

St Matthew's, Dunedin

St Matthew's Church is an inner-city Anglican church, located on the City Rise in Dunedin, New Zealand.

Holy Trinity - Port Chalmers

Holy Trinity Church is an heritage-listed Anglican church located in Port Chalmers, Otago, New Zealand.

St Barnabas Church

St Barnabas Church is a small wooden Anglican church in Warrington, New Zealand. It was built in 1872.

St Joseph's Cathedral

Designed by architect Francis Petre, this Gothic Revival Catholic cathedral opened in 1886. Built of dark basalt with Oamaru stone dressings, it features intricate carvings and sits adjacent to the historic St Dominic’s Priory.

Northern Cemetery

The Dunedin Northern Cemetery is a major historic cemetery in the southern New Zealand city of Dunedin.

Southern Cemetery

The Southern Cemetery in the New Zealand city of Dunedin was the first major cemetery to be opened in the city.

All Saints Anglican Church

All Saints' Church is a heritage-listed Anglican church located in Dunedin, New Zealand.

Kaikorai Presbyterian Church

Kaikorai Presbyterian Church is a Presbyterian congregation of the PCANZ Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand located in Kaikorai, a…

Iona Church

A prominent Port Chalmers landmark, this Presbyterian church was built between 1871 and 1883. Its Gothic design, executed in Oamaru stone, includes a distinctive spire that overlooks the harbor and town center.

St Mary, Star of the Sea

Opened in 1878, this Catholic church in Port Chalmers was designed by Francis Petre. It is a notable example of early ecclesiastical architecture in the region, serving the local maritime and Catholic community.

St John the Evangelist / St Johns - Waikouaiti

Completed in 1858, this is the oldest surviving church in the Otago and Southland regions. The small timber building is a significant example of early colonial Anglican architecture, set within a historic rural graveyard.

East Taieri Church

A historic landmark on the Taieri Plains, this site has hosted a congregation since the mid-19th century. The building reflects the early religious settlement of the region and remains a central feature of the East Taieri community.

St Luke's on the Taieri

Designed by architect R.A. Lawson and opened in 1877, this Anglican church is a key heritage site in the Mosgiel area. The building features classic Gothic elements and serves the rural Taieri community.

Port Chalmers South African War memorial

This stone monument commemorates local soldiers who served in the South African War (1899–1902). Positioned on a hillside, it offers views over the Port Chalmers township and the Otago Harbour.