Futuna Chapel

Futuna Chapel is a remarkable building situated in the Wellington suburb of Karori, New Zealand.

The chapel is a beautiful blend of European and Maori design traditions, designed by the renowned Maori architect John Scott. Built by the brothers of the Society of Mary, the chapel is named after the Pacific Island of Futuna on which the missionary Peter Chanel, to whom the project is dedicated, was martyred in 1841. The chapel was constructed between 1958 and 1961 and has since become a masterpiece of New Zealand architecture.

Despite its small size, the chapel has become a popular tourist attraction and is regarded as an architectural masterpiece. The building has survived a number of near misses and remains an exemplar of an indigenous New Zealand architectural style. The chapel has been awarded the New Zealand Institute of Architects gold medal in 1968 and its 25-year Award in 1986. The Historic Places Trust has placed it on its register as a Category 1 Historic Site. The chapel is owned by the Friends of Futuna Trust, who have worked tirelessly to preserve and maintain the building for future generations.

Visitors to Futuna Chapel can expect to be awed by the building's unique design and stunning beauty. The chapel is open to the public on certain days and times, and guided tours are available. The chapel is a must-see for anyone interested in architecture, history, or culture.

In conclusion, the Futuna Chapel is a testament to the skill and creativity of John Scott, who combined modernist, Pakeha, and Maori elements to create a vernacular building that is both unique and beautiful. It is considered by some to be the most important 20th-century building in the country. Despite its small size, the chapel has become a popular tourist attraction and is regarded as an architectural masterpiece. The building has survived a number of near misses and remains an exemplar of an indigenous New Zealand architectural style.