W E L C O M E!
Thank you for interest in our Chapel Rebuild!
Please find below all the latest information on the history of the Chapel,
architectural plans, interior design, fundraising status, donation methods, updates and more.
We are so grateful for your support and prayers!
Your Carmelite Sisters in Christchurch, New Zealand.
M A K E A D O N A T I O N
NEW ZEALAND DONORS
A direct bank transfer is our preference for New Zealand donors as there are no associated fees for us.
If you donate, please consider emailing us at ocdchch@xtra.co.nz so that we can acknowledge your donation and issue a receipt for tax purposes.
Account Name: The Discalced Carmelite Nuns (Christchurch) Charitable Trust
Account Number: 03-1592-0216044-001
INTERNATIONAL DONORS
We have set up a Charity Fund at TrustBridge Global called The 'Discalced Carmelite Nuns (Christchurch) Charitable Trust'.
This fund enables overseas donors to be eligible for making a tax deductible donation.
By clicking on the TrustBridge Global Donate button below you will be taken to our Charity Fund page.
F U N D R A I S I N G S T A T U S
Amount to Raise | Pending |
Amount Already Raised | NZD$61,725.00 |
Amount left to Raise | Pending |
Donors | 24 |
Updated weekly. Last updated: Saturday, 22 February 2025. | |
P R O J E C T U P D A T E S
E M A I L U P D A T E S
23 December 2024
5 February 2024
S U B S C R I B E TO U P D A T E S
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I N T E R I O R D E S I G N
~ COMING SOON! ~
H I S T O R Y
The first chapel the sisters set up inside the homestead as they awaited the completion of the chapel
The construction of the temporary chapel and extern quarters was completed between March—June, 1933.
At least 500 people came for the Dedication of the Chapel and Enclosure Ceremony on June 4, 1933.
The original sanctuary of the chapel, as decorated for our enclosure ceremony.
The original homestead on six acres of land purchased by our founding sisters in 1933. At that time it was three miles outside of Christchurch city.
The tiny temporary confessional, still in existence and use today.
The first wing of the monastery was completed in 1938, five years after the foundation was made. The Sisters had chosen to build the monastery wing before the permanent chapel, so as to be able to accept new vocations.
Funds were scarce during the war years as our Carmel supported monasteries in Europe, even going into overdraft at the bank to do so. After the war years the novitiate wing was added in 1950, to accommodate the growing community.
In 1959 our Carmel made a new foundation, sending seven sisters to Samoa in the Pacific Ocean to found Carmel there. We continued to financially support our sisters in Samoa Carmel until 1979.
In 1987 another addition was made. Thus, what began as a temporary chapel was eventually made permanent, with three extensions to the original chapel being added over the years to support a growing Mass attendance in a growing city. The last addition to our chapel was the building of a foyer in the year 2001.
Our Chapel today