As crowds gathered inside Christ Church Cathedral for the “Cathedral Square Unearthed” archaeology exhibition, the emotion of being back inside the church was evident.
Tomorrow marks 15 years since a magnitude 6.3 earthquake caused widespread damage across Christchurch, killing 185 people.
Seeing the heritage of this beloved landmark – and the people who cherished it – return from the ruins evokes strong emotions.
"I get tearful even thinking about it... just quite overwhelming in some ways," said one attendee.
Access inside the still damaged church has been arranged for the exhibition that showcases everyday life in 19th century Christchurch.
Cathedral Dean Ben Truman said it’s lovely to see the local stories.
“These are the objects that were found from the excavations, post-quake in and around this square, and so we're standing in the centre of it all and then we can see on the map where this object was found and where that object was found in” he said.
Christchurch Archaeology Project’s Katharine Watson said the displays are all about the people who made Christchurch home.
“...Who might have passed through, who have run a business here, or who have worshipped here in the cathedral over the hundreds of years that people have been using this space from the very first arrival of Waitaha right through until about 1900” she said.
The church's former surroundings have also been brought back to life with images of Worchester Bouvelard in 1910 projected on the back wall of the cathedral.
“And the best thing of all was that with some incredible AI wizardry has managed to make people in trees and trams and cars move in there, it looks extremely realistic and lifelike and it's just a fantastic component of the exhibition” Watson said.
The free exhibition is delivered through one-hour tours, with 1500 people through the exhibition over its eight-day programme with tickets immediately snapped up.
Many of those attending were sharing their own Cathedral memories too.
“I remember taking part in a school play that location there roughly and coming in here for annual end of year end of school celebrations,” said one man.
Outside of special events the church remains closed but work to reopen the space in stages continues.
“I mean, this has always been the heart of Christchurch,” said Dean Ben Truman.
And even more people will be able to get a glimpse of the past when these exhibits are shifted to a more public space in the crossing, a shopping area in central Christchurch, next week.
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