Have you ever felt the serenity of a place steeped in history? The Chapel of Our Lady of Compassion stands before you. It’s not just a building. It’s a sanctuary. A testament to faith. A place of quiet reflection.
This light-filled chapel in Island Bay is more than just beautiful stained glass and tranquil gardens. It’s a living memorial to Venerable Suzanne Aubert New Zealand’s first saint. Designed and built in the 1980s the chapel’s stunning stained glass windows were crafted by the internationally acclaimed New Zealand artist John Drawbridge. He used compelling primary colours blue red and yellow. These are interspersed with white blocks and occasional touches of green pink and orange to surprise the eye. The windows are more than just beautiful. They tell a story.
The Stations of the Cross are a poignant feature. The Sisters of Compassion included them to emphasize Mary’s compassion as she stood at the foot of the cross. You can see four stations on the north wall. The remaining ten are on the eastern wall. They’re even illuminated at night.
The Chapel of Our Lady of Compassion is also the final resting place of Suzanne Aubert. She was moved here in 1950. Her casket now lies in a tranquil space beside the chapel. The Resting Place features stunning stained glass windows. The morning window depicts the Pleiades constellation the Southern Cross and the Whanganui River. The Resurrection window shows the fifteenth Station of the Cross. These windows aren’t just beautiful additions. They are thoughtful tributes. They add another layer of meaning to this already significant place.
Many features from the old Home of Compassion were incorporated into the Chapel. John Drawbridge and his wife Tanya Ashken collaborated with architects and craftspeople. Together they created a beautiful and prayerful structure. The chapel was dedicated on March 25 1990. The chapel remains a place of pilgrimage and prayer for many. A place where people can pause reflect and connect with their faith. A place of peace. A place to simply be. The Chapel of Our Lady of Compassion is a testament to faith. It’s a must-see for anyone visiting Wellington.