Located above the altar of the Baber Chapel, this cross is composed of a number of small ceramic tiles imprinted with crosses, circles and stars. Patches of blue and green glaze heighten the design and white (silica) background. The tiles are set within an aluminium frame.

The tiles were made by Roy Cowan at Beverley Shore Bennett’s request, and the cross was assembled by Shore Bennett and her husband Peter Bennett. As Shore Bennett recalls, “I decided the east wall needed a focus so with the able assistance of my husband, Peter, the present cross was made and erected and blessed by Bishop Edward Norman in memory of my father."

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.

This work, and the others in the Chapel, are able to be viewed by appointment.

See also:

• Contact Us [Samuel Marsden Collegiate School website]