Bishop Pompallier’s House

On a gentle hill overlooking Auckland city stands Bishop Pompallier’s House. It’s a stately home, built of dark red brick. It whispers stories of a time when Auckland was a fledgling city and missionaries shaped its destiny. Bishop Pompallier’s House, also known as the Bishop’s Palace, wasn’t always the grand structure you see today. The land was initially purchased in 1853 by Bishop Jean-Baptiste Pompallier himself. He envisioned a center for the Catholic Church in Auckland. However, the current building wasn’t constructed until 1893-1894, under the direction of Bishop John Edmund Luck. Bishop Luck embarked on a fundraising tour of Europe, securing a substantial sum of £4,000 to £5,000. This allowed him to commission the renowned British architect Peter Paul Pugin. Pugin, inspired by his father’s work at The Grange in Ramsgate, designed a magnificent Gothic Revival style residence. Bishop Pompallier’s House features an H-shaped ground plan. The lobby welcomes visitors with stunning imitation stained glass windows. These were crafted by the talented local artist Alexander Booker. Look closely at the floors. You’ll find geometric encaustic tiles imported from France. Bishop Luck’s meticulous attention to detail is evident throughout. Bishop Pompallier’s House wasn’t just aesthetically pleasing. It was also technologically advanced for its time. The house was one of the first in Auckland to be fully lit by electricity, a testament to Bishop Luck’s forward-thinking approach. Even the bathrooms boast a piece of history. You can still find a functioning Unitas toilet, a design dating back to the 1880s. At the north end of Bishop Pompallier’s House lies a chapel. Inside, a marble altar purchased by Bishop Luck in Italy takes center stage. More of Booker’s imitation stained glass windows adorn the space. The parquetry borders surrounding the altar and reception area are made from native New Zealand timbers. These were crafted by none other than Father Augustine Luck, Bishop Luck’s own brother. Today, Bishop Pompallier’s House is part of the Pompallier Diocesan Centre. It stands as a testament to the enduring legacy of the Catholic Church in Auckland. The house has witnessed the city’s transformation from a small colonial outpost to the vibrant metropolis it is today.