Brisbane Cathedral Nears Completion

PRESS RELEASE

St John’s Cathedral, Brisbane Nears Completion After A Century!

Approximately eighteen months ago Rod McCallum, a New Zealander from Auckland’s North Shore, was approached to project manage the completion of building works to the Anglican cathedral in Brisbane. The directive was to oversee the installation of twin towers and a belfry. The aim was to complete the cathedral ready for a visit from the Archbishop of Canterbury towards the end of 2008.

St. John’s Cathedral is situated close to the Brisbane River in the heart of the City. It was designed in 1903 by the English architect, F.L.Pearson, who died before finishing the plans. His son (now also deceased) completed the plans and the building of the Cathedral commenced soon after. The building was designed as a 12th century Cathedral with ribbed vaulted ceilings, flying buttresses, stone pillars and stained glass windows – it is stunning and equal to any traditional European cathedral.

As is the case with most cathedrals, money ran out well before it was half built and works came to a halt. A further section was completed after the Second World War when building ceased yet again. An initiative to complete this magnificent building started roughly fourteen years ago. St. John’s Cathedral is the only cathedral in the world to have been built to a 12th century design for more than a century!

The cathedral has its own stone quarry and expert stonemasons from England and France are currently completing the intricate stonework of the twin 25mt high towers. Meanwhile Rod is supervising the building of two 17mt high spires on the ground. These are to be clad in copper, in a herringbone pattern, and, when completed, will weigh nearly 10 tons each. These will be lifted into place next February/ March by a massive mobile crane, the lifting eye will be removed and a Cross will be screwed in place. This has never been done before and is already attracting a lot of media attention.

Later in 2008 the larger spire over the belfry will be built weighing 20 tons and it too will be lifted into place. This project has presented many issues – for example, what effect will modern building materials have on the tone of the bells? It is a fascinating project and one which will most certainly provide some spectacular photo opportunities as well as an interesting storyline.

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