Auckland Baptist Tabernacle 🇳🇿

Situated near the corner of Queen Street and Karangahape Road at the edge of Auckland's central business district, the Auckland Baptist Tabernacle is a historic church affiliated with the Baptist Churches of New Zealand. First formed in 1855 by Richard Shalders and 14 others, the congregation eventually outgrew its earlier locations. Under the leadership of pastor Thomas Spurgeon—son of C.

H. Spurgeon—the current building was constructed between 1884 and 1885 and officially opened on May 12, 1885. Designed by local architect Edmund Bell, this Category I Historic Place was modeled on London's Metropolitan Tabernacle and features a striking columned portico based on Rome's Pantheon, positioned on Queen Street so it was visible from the harbour.

When you visit this historic sanctuary, you will encounter impressive neo-classical stencil work across the main auditorium ceiling, painted by local interior decorator and landscape artist Charles Blomfield alongside his brother Samuel. Inside the auditorium—which was built to accommodate over 1,500 people and offers excellent acoustics—you can also view a historic Greenwich clock, originally gifted to the congregation by the Greenwich Baptist Church.

What to see at Auckland Baptist Tabernacle

• Historic neo-classical ceiling stencil work by Charles and Samuel Blomfield
• Grand portico with columns modeled directly after the Pantheon in Rome
• Auditiorium displaying an original Greenwich clock gifted by Greenwich Baptist Church
• Historic building designed by Edmund Bell and listed as a Category I Historic Place

Visiting tips

Take time to look up at the main auditorium ceiling to admire the detailed neo-classical stencil work painted by brothers Charles and Samuel Blomfield.

How long: 1 hour · Best time: Daytime

How to get there & what’s nearby

Auckland Baptist Tabernacle is easy to reach on Auckland’s public transport, and pairs naturally with Auckland War Memorial Museum Tāmaki Paenga Hira and Auckland Zoo. For where to stay, the weather and full itineraries, see our Auckland travel guide.