The Taranaki Cathedral Church of St Mary is the oldest stone church in New Zealand, with the original structure dating from 1842 — just a few years after the first European settlers arrived in New Plymouth. The building has been extended and modified significantly since then, and what you see today is a blend of early colonial stonework and later Gothic additions, but the core of the building preserves something of the uncertainty and ambition of early colonial construction.
The cathedral stands on a small rise above the city centre, visible from several streets. It is still an active Anglican cathedral and is open to visitors during the day. The churchyard has graves dating back to the early settlement period, and the garden setting is quietly attractive.