Saint Gerard's Catholic Church and Monastery, Wellington

Saint Gerard's Catholic Church and Monastery in Wellington are a striking duo on Mount Victoria, embodying rich history and culture. These edifices occupy the site of what was once known as Fitzgerald's Folly, a property owned by James Edward Fitzgerald, who is claimed by some to be New Zealand's first Prime Minister.

The church, constructed in 1908, was designed by John Swan for the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer, also known as Redemptorists. It holds the distinction of being the first church in the world dedicated to Saint Gerard Majella following his canonisation. Built in a simple Gothic style with brick, the church seats about 200 people and is renowned for its exquisite stained glass windows crafted by Hardman and Son of Birmingham. The interior features a magnificent marble altar of green Devonshire and Galway marbles, with an Italian mosaic panel depicting the Annunciation.

The monastery, completed in 1932 through public donations, served as a residence for the Redemptorists. Its foundation stone was laid by Archbishop Redwood, and it was blessed and opened by Archbishop O'Shea. Architecturally, it followed John Swan's designs, with Frederick de Jersey Clere possibly succeeding or collaborating with Swan. The monastery's three-story structure is made of reinforced concrete with brick in-fill panels, featuring Gothic windows and red-brick arches for the cloisters to capture the northern sunlight.

Saint Gerard's Catholic Church and Monastery hold the prestigious designation of being classified as a "Category I" historic site by the New Zealand Historic Places Trust. This designation is reserved for places of exceptional historical or cultural significance, marking them as important landmarks in New Zealand's heritage.