Old St Pauls, Wellington, NZ

This thought confirmed by Margaret Alington: " it was late Early English of the transitional period when geometric forms were in common use." Walking around the building leaves one increasingly interested in this geometric jumble of forms, with the knowledge that it has grown over the church's life. " Organic like growth of the building's footprint" , allowable through its Neo Gothic style of architecture, transepts, minor transepts, lean-to buildings - all shapes growing out from the church like new shoots. The exterior typifies the guidelines set out by the Ecclesiological society which Thatcher closely followed and adapted into the native timber construction known as "Colonial Gothic": A very unique and special aspect of this work by Thatcher, termed as the " culmination of his long and varied career as an architect" . His use of this religious guideline given by this well-respected society used in many Anglican Church buildings of the 19th century cannot be ignored. This includes the romantic, elegant window shapes incorporating the symbolic trefoils and quatrefoils, use of sixty degree roof pitches and an east-facing church - all a vital part in the design and I feel a unique New Zealand example in timber.
             Approaching the entrance you can't help but feel "New Zealand" in this building. One sees the corrugated iron roof on the baptistery; the native Matai exterior cladding, pictured above on the left - materials instrumental in early New Zealand and still today. The use of this timber confronts one on entering the bell tower; hit by the all encompassing warm, rich smell and sight of the hand-crafted timber. The tower serves as a great entry point to the church. It rises above commanding a sense of authority as one enters God's house. One is guided to this entrance by a number of notable features: The use of the tower acts as a clue to help one choose which of the three doors on the west side to go through.