Composed of interlocking tiles, some with insets of coloured glass, the cross is said to be typical of Moody's style.

Beverley Shore Bennett arranged for the school to purchase the cross when she viewed it at the opening of an exhibition at the New Zealand Academy of Fine Arts. As Shore Bennett recalls, "I remember very well walking into the gallery and immediately seeing the magnificent ceramic cross. [...] I was convinced it would be perfect for the planned chapel exterior, but it was very expensive. At such openings speed is essential but we were blessed that Peter Gibbons, a board member, agreed, on the spot to under wright [sic] the purchase. I secured it in the nick of time ahead of another church. God blessed us; the cross proved to be the exact size of the one I had drawn on the sketch of the building!”

Source: Beverley Shore Bennett, 'Baber Chapel, Marsden School' speech notes from a presentation to celebrate the refurbishing of the chapel, 4 August 2005, c/- Samuel Marsden Collegiate School archives.

The Baber Chapel is named after Esther Mary Baber, a lifelong educator who owned and ran the Fitzherbert Terrace School from 1907-1920, upon whence she sold it to the diocese of Wellington who renamed it 'Samuel Marsden Collegiate School'. Baber continued as Headmistress at the school until 1931, seeing it through its relocation to its current Karori site. She passed away in 1956, leaving a large bequest to the school's chapel fund.

Due to its external location the work can be viewed at all hours. The other works in the Chapel are able to be viewed by appointment.

See also:

• Contact Us [Samuel Marsden Collegiate School]