The former Canterbury College Great Hall, or College Hall, was opened in 1882, another Gothic Revival Design by Benjamin Mountfort. The grand stone hall, lined in kauri, rewarewa, totara and matai was initially used for lectures and formal events.
It increasingly became used for recitals and performances, with Cantabrians attending a range of events in the grand but draughty space throughout the twentieth century through the College’s conversion to the Christchurch Arts Centre in 1974. The Hall continued as a performance venue until February 2011.
The 2011 earthquakes damaged the entire Arts Centre which then became subject to a $300 million repair and rejuvenation programme, planned for completion in 2019.
Two craftspeople had worked for over a year on the Memorial Window restoring 4000 pieces of glass which had been removed following the earthquakes. The window was rededicated in December 2015 and the Great Hall (College Hall) reopened in 2016 to much fanfare.
Nearby this Place
Featured Nearby
