The boards above the altar list the names of those who died in the 1914 – 1918 War. The altar has three painted panels, and on the altar are two decorated candlesticks given by the Holden family and a Pacific Island Cross from Vanuatu. PLAN
42. CHAPEL ALTAR PANELS
This altar was originally used by the Rt Rev Cecil Arthur Cherrington in his private chapel. He was the first Bishop of Waikato (1926 -1950). The front of the altar is adorned with three paintings by Ida Carey. These show from left a Bishop holding a church, St Mary with the baby Jesus, and St Peter (with the Keys of the Kingdom).
43. ST GEORGE WINDOW
This window depicts St George the Martyr. It was given in memory of John Alexander Holden who died in Gallipoli in 1915.
44. PLAQUE AND MEMORIAL BOOK
Many cathedrals have a remembrance book in which the names of those who have died are recorded. The plaque at top is placed by the Waikato Mounted Rifles in memory of those from the City who lost their lives in active service and in honour of all those who served.
45. MEMORIAL
Nearby is a further memorial. The top plaque is a general memorial to the members of ‘G’ Battery NZFA who died in WWI. Below is a memorial to some of the Hamilton men who died in WWII.
46. TAONGA OF RUATARA
The taonga of Ruatara was gifted to the Waikato Diocese by Te Tai Hauauru of the Bishopric of Aotearoa in 1993. Chief Ruatara was an important figure in the introduction of Christianity, for it was through him that Samuel Marsden found an opening for the establishment of a mission in NZ in 1814. A taonga is a Maori treasured possession.
47. WEST WINDOWS
These three single windows show from left, Virgin and Child, Christ the Good Shepherd, and the Christian Warrior – probably based on Ephesians 6.
48. BAPTISMAL FONT
The beautiful font stands at the West end of the central aisle. It was donated by the Auckland Farmers’ Freezing Company as a memorial to Joseph Barugh, a member of St Peter’s congregation, for his services to farming.
49. FONT DETAILS
Around the top, engraved into the stone, are eight scenes of the final journey of Christ to the Cross.
50. FONT COVER AND PASCHAL CANDLE
The carved wooden font cover was the gift of F. W. Hardingham. The Paschal candle stands on an ornate stand. It reminds us that Christ is the Light of the World.
51. ST ANNE’S CHAPEL
We now return to the front of the nave, and across to St Anne’s Chapel at the base of the bell tower. St Anne was the mother of the Virgin Mary and grandmother of Jesus Christ, according to Christian (and Islamic) tradition. Mary's mother is not named in the canonical gospels. Anne's name and that of her husband Joachim come from New Testament apocryphal writings.
53. ALTAR
After the decision of Vatican II (1962 –1965) to encourage churches to have a central altar, it became common in many non-Catholic churches and cathedrals as well. It is from this central altar that the Eucharist would be served, with the celebrating priest facing the congregation.
54. ORGAN PIPES
The original organ had been shipped to NZ from an Abbey Church in England. In the 1970s it was decided to completely renovate the organ, separating the console from the pipes. The result, completed in 1976 was an instrument unique in the Waikato, and now used for recitals as well as Cathedral worship.
55. CHOIR CHAIRS
The cushions on the choir chairs carry emblems and names of various saints.
56. BANNER
This lovely Cathedral banner was designed and made by Cheryl Billett in 1985.
57. HIGH ALTAR
The marble High Altar was given in 1916 in memory of Mabel Radcliffe. Many cathedrals retain the high altar along with the more central altar.
58. CRUCIFIX AND MEMORIAL
The crucifix on the high altar is quite ornate with miniature emblems on the ends of the cross arms, including the Lamb with Flag. The memorial retable is in memory of Cecil Arthur Cherrington who was Bishop of Waikato from 1926 to 1950.
59. CATHEDRA
In common with other cathedrals, St Peter’s gets its cathedral status from the presence of the Bishop’s chair or ‘cathedra’. On the high back is the crest of the Diocese.
60. CATHEDRA CUSHION
The Diocesan crest also appears in colour on the cathedra cushion.