Where to worship
The theme of the 12th World Symposium on Choral Music (WSCM2020) – People and the Land, He tangata / He whenua – is about encouraging attendees to connect their identity with the land that supports them.
If continuing your faith journey in Aotearoa would support you during the Symposium, you would be welcome to join an Auckland congregation that suits you.
Below you will find a variety of communities and worship places close to the WSCM2020 hub – most just a short walk away. In fact, three of the churches below (marked *) are also Symposium venues.
St Matthew-in-the-City *
St Matthew-in-the-City is an Anglican church that is inclusive of and welcoming to people of many denominations. Worship services run at 8am and 10am every Sunday, with a mid-week service for busy workers at 12.20pm on Wednesday. Anyone is welcome to take communion during these services.
St Matt’s also hosts the Auckland Rainbow Community Church, a congregation that offers a welcoming environment for all, especially those within the LGBTQI+ community. This weekly service takes place every Sunday at 7.30pm
Vicar, Rev. Helen Jacobi says, "We are very proud of our choral tradition. We sing a range of both classical and more modern hymns, including some by New Zealand composers, and some in the Maori language. We are looking forward to welcoming the many WSCM2020 delegates and performers to Auckland in July 2020."
Distance from Aotea Square: 500m (6-minute walk)
Holy Trinity Cathedral *
Photo Credit: Photo by russellstreet
Holy Trinity Cathedral is an Anglican church located in Parnell, a suburb of Auckland’s CBD. As the seat of the Bishop of Auckland, Holy Trinity offers a regular schedule of worship services six days a week. This includes services on Sunday at 8am, 9am, 10am, 5pm and 8pm; Monday to Friday at 12.15pm; and an additional Wednesday service at 6pm.
Holy Trinity can be reached via the AT Hop-on Hop-off Explorer bus, InterLink, and OuterLink buses.
Distance from Aotea Square: 3km (40-minute walk, 10-15 minute drive)
Cathedral of St Patrick & St Joseph *
The Cathedral of St Patrick & St Joseph serves the Roman Catholic congregation in Auckland’s CBD. It offers weekly mass on Sunday at 8am, 11am, 4.30pm and 7pm; every weekday at 7am and 12.15pm; and Saturday at 8.30am.
Distance from Aotea Square: 750m (9-minute walk)
Pitt Street Methodist Church *
The Pitt Street Methodist Church offers worship services every Sunday at 10.30am followed by a Fijian language service at 2pm. The congregation hosts a monthly Sunday lunch following its morning service which will fall on July 12 during the Symposium.
Distance from Aotea Square: 800m (10-min walk)
Other nearby options
Auckland Baptist Tabernacle is further up Queen St from Aotea Square. The church describes itself as a multi-ethnic family who enjoy befriending people of all cultures who come to New Zealand. Services are offered in English and Mandarin every Sunday at 10.30am and 1.15pm.
Distance from Aotea Square: 650m (8-minute walk)
St Andrews First Presbyterian is the oldest Presbyterian congregation in Auckland, with a large international community. Worship services take place on Sundays at 10am in English and at noon in Indonesian. On the first Sunday during WSCM2020, St Andrews will host a contemporary service.
Distance from Aotea Square: 1.2km (15-minute walk)
Auckland Buddhist Centre is a religious network and gathering place for members of the Buddhist faith. The centre offers weekly meditation sessions, both guided and silent, on Tuesday and Thursday at 10.30am and Saturday at 10am.
Distance from Aotea Square: 3.6km (50-minute walk, 15-minute drive)
The AUT Masjid is a Muslim prayer room located on the AUT campus. Services include Salāt Al-Jumu'ah (Friday Prayer), offering 1st Jamaat at 12.30pm and 2nd Jamaat at 1.30pm in the winter months.
Distance from Aotea Square: 650m (8-minute walk)
The Auckland Hebrew Congregation is a modern orthodox congregation that holds Shul services and weekly social events. The website is also a source of information for travellers, including advice on eating Kosher while in Auckland. The centre is affiliated with the Greys Ave Deli, the city’s largest supplier for kosher food and only kosher café.
Distance from Aotea Square: 650m (8-minute walk)
Sri Radha Krishna Mandir is a Hindu temple run by the Auckland Indian Association. The temple hosts Aarti every morning at 8.30am and evenings at 7.30pm with Prasad offerings at 7.15pm. The Mandir is open Monday - Friday 8am to 12.30pm and 5.30pm to 8.30pm and Saturday-Sunday from 8am to 8.30pm.
Distance from Aotea Square: 2km (30-minute walk, 10-minute drive)