Beverley Shore-Bennett, ‘A dossal’ (1964), Wellington Cathedral of St Paul, Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington . Image: Bronwyn Holloway-Smith, Public Art Heritage Aotearoa New Zealand, 2024

Wellington Cathedral of Saint Paul

Cecil Wood

Behind the altar, Wellington Cathedral of St Paul, 2 Hill St, Thorndon, Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington

A Dossal

Cecil Wood was born in New Zealand and trained to be an architect through article to Christchurch architect Frederick Strouts. Subsequently he completed a diploma with Samuel Hurst Seager at Canterbury College. The arts and crafts interests of Hurst Seager is reflected in much of Cecil's work. 

He designed many buildings, including Wellington Cathedral of St Paul and the Memorial Dining Hall at Christ's College, which have come to hold heritage status. In 1914 he became an associate of the New Zealand Institute of Architects, a fellow in 1926, and held the position of President in 1937. Alongside W. Gray Young (Wellington) and William Gummer (Auckland) Cecil is recognised as a prominent New Zealand architect of the inter-war period.

Wood, Cecil Walter (National Library of New Zealand)