Starting at the foot of the Cashmere Hills, Colombo St is the longest straight street in New Zealand and if you look at pictures from the air the configuration of the buildings that stood around the square were in the configuration of a cross.
Taking over a quarter of a century to build, the Cathedral was completed in 1904 and was the focal point of the 'Square'. It was claimed to be the finest gothic style church in NZ and could accommodate a congregation of approximately 1,000 people.
The tower and spire stood about 63 metres above the street with viewing balconies at the 30 metre level after a climb of 134 steps.
The Cathedral was severely damaged in the 2011 earthquakes and has yet to be rebuilt.