January 27, 2025

Our Christchurch Carmelite Sisters are having their chapel rebuilt

Christchurch Carmel Sisters Chapel appeal

Dear visitor – we wish to draw your attention to our Christchurch Carmel sisters chapel rebuild.

OCDS Members of Christchurch have the privilege to hold their meetings on-site at the Christchurch Carmel monastery.

This project is very important to our community too – and our sisters are simply a delight and heroic women of God.

Find out more and follow the Sisters’ chapel rebuild here (save the link in your bookmarks!)

Greetings from the Sisters at the Carmelite Monastery in Christchurch, New Zealand!

On this page we hope to share everything you may wish to know about the rebuilding of our chapel, following the announcement in our Christmas 2024 newsletter of our decision to replace the ‘temporary’ chapel after 91 years of its existence.

As plans progress, you’ll find information below about the reasons for our decision, the history of the current chapel, architectural plans, interior design, fundraising status and updates from us along the way.

While we initially winced about having to ask for money, not having done so for 65 years, we can’t actually build a new chapel from our own resources. Thus, as this will be a chapel of beauty for the public worship of God, at a Monastery where Carmelite nuns are dedicated to a life of prayer in the heart of the Church, we have come to see that others may wish to join us in making our new chapel a possibility.

The fundraising software we’re using won’t be ready until early 2025, and just as well, as the architectural plans and interior designs aren’t ready yet either. We’re excited about the software as it will show each element of the build, what it is and what it costs, and those wishing to contribute will be able to see and choose what they bring into existence, so to speak.

Our architect is currently working on the 3D images. We will share those images with you soon so that you can see what the exterior of the chapel will look like.

Finally, please pray for the success of our chapel rebuild; all aspects of the preparation, design, fundraiser and building. For our part, we are already praying very much for all those who will be involved and helping us in any way.

Thank you & God bless, Your Carmelite Sisters in Christchurch.