| Sacred Heart Basilica | |
|---|---|
 Sacred Heart Basilica, Timaru | |
 | |
| 44°24′06″S 171°14′51″E / 44.4016°S 171.2475°E | |
| Location | Timaru, South Canterbury |
| Country | New Zealand |
| Denomination | Catholic |
| Website | Sacred Heart Church |
| History | |
| Founded | 25 October 1874 |
| Founder(s) | Father John Tubman S.M. |
| Dedication | Sacred Heart of Jesus |
| Dedicated | 1 October 1911 |
| Consecrated | 1 October 1911 |
| Architecture | |
| Functional status | parish church |
| Heritage designation | Category I |
| Designated | 2 April 1982 |
| Architect(s) | Francis Petre |
| Architectural type | Palladian Revival Byzantine Revival |
| Style | Roman Renaissance |
| Groundbreaking | 6 February 1910 |
| Completed | 1911 |
| Construction cost | £23,000 |
| Specifications | |
| Capacity | 1,000 seated |
| Administration | |
| Province | Wellington |
| Diocese | Christchurch |
| Parish | Sacred Heart |
The Sacred Heart Basilica or Timaru Basilica, is a Catholic church in Timaru, New Zealand. The term basilica is used to describe the building's Roman basilican style. style.[1] It was designed by the New Zealand architect, Francis Petre and is one of his most celebrated works. Its size and appearance make it one of the most important historic buildings of Timaru and of the South Canterbury region. The Basilica's twin towers and copper cupola are highly visible features of the Timaru skyline, especially from the south.[2] The Basilica is also one of the "most noteworthy examples of ecclesiastical architecture" in New Zealand with elements of "Roman and Byzantine architecture with touches of Art Nouveau decoration." It is a registered historic place, category 1.[3]
- ^ In Roman Catholic ecclesiastical terms, Sacred Heart Basilica is not a minor basilica. See: List of minor basilicas in the world.
- ^ Brosnahan 2011, p. iii.
- ^ Heritage New Zealand (2 April 1985). "Basilica of the Sacred Heart (Catholic)". Heritage List: No 325. Retrieved 21 February 2015.