St Matthew-in-the-City (with kids)
How Kids-Friendly is St Matthew-in-the-City?
What makes it 61% Kids-Friendly: Children can hunt for stained-glass details or join bell-ringing open days, but silence in services, lack of play space, and booking limits on tower tours reduce overall appeal.
Positives:
- Engaging learning: Kids develop observation skills by spotting details in stained glass.
- Central location: Easy walk from Queen Street with nearby cafes for breaks.
Challenges:
- No play area: Church has no dedicated children’s play space or equipment.
- Lengthy tours: Sunday service lasts ~60 minutes; younger kids may lose interest.
What is St Matthew-in-the-City?
- A neo-Gothic Anglican parish church built from Oamaru stone and carved kauri between 1902 and 1905
- Features a cruciform nave with a carved timber roof, high altar sanctuary, and a 3,004-pipe organ above the chancel
- Boasts eight historic change-ringing bells in its tower dating back to the 1860s and extensive stained-glass installations
What is so special about St Matthew-in-the-City for with kids?
- Explore neo-Gothic stone arches and historic stained-glass windows.
- Kids enjoy a stained-glass safari and a gothic castle quest.
- Join bell-ringing demos during the Heritage Festival for hands-on fun.
- Attend the 10 am Sunday service to hear the choir and organ in action.
- Free entry and central location make it easy to fit into any Auckland itinerary.
Recommended visit duration: 1-2 hours
Why 1-2 hours visit duration is ideal for with kids: Allows time for stained-glass safari and mini quests without tiring younger children.
Kids-Friendly Activities in St Matthew-in-the-City
Stained-glass safari:
Hunt for animals and symbols in each window.
Tip: Give each child a printed window photo and let them circle finds with a colored marker.
Gothic castle quest:
Count gargoyles and trace pointed arches inside and out.
Tip: Turn it into a timed game to keep energy high and reward small prizes.
Bell-ringing open day:
Watch and try change-ringing in the tower.
Tip: Book early online for Heritage Festival spots; groups fill quickly.
Sunday Sung Eucharist:
Listen to choir and organ music at the 10 am service.
Tip: Bring a small coloring activity for restless moments during the 60 min service.
How to Make the Most of Your Visit to St Matthew-in-the-City
- Start with safari: Begin at the entrance with the stained-glass hunt to set a playful tone.
- Download guide: Print or draw a stained-glass scavenger list before you arrive.
Reviews of St Matthew-in-the-City
Claire Knowles
Beautiful Christmas candlelight experience. Toilets looked newly painted and were clean. 2 security guards outside. Plenty of staff inside to show you towards your seating zone. Lovely venue. Parking next door or over the road - this is central Auckland to allow time and don’t leave valuables in your car!
Deirdre Slaney-Heath
We had a lovely relaxing evening. The muscians were very talented. The lead violinist was very engaged with the audience. One negative, the Poloroid photo is a let down and put a dampner on the overall expereience. We look small and distant and the quality of the photo is poor. Save your money avoid the photo. The boxed candles are excellent.
SY K
This was my first time attending a Candlelight Fever concert and it was such a beautiful experience. The ambience and music instantly lifted my mood and made the whole evening unforgettable. I left feeling so happy, and I’ll definitely be joining more Candlelight events in the future!
Logan S.
🕍 A Slice of Heaven on Hobson Street They say you can’t find peace in the city… clearly, “they” never walked into this gem in Auckland CBD... Just off the chaos of Hobson Street traffic sits this calm,cool and holy beauty St Matthew’s Anglican Church... I wasn’t here for a wedding,Sunday mass or to repent (yet)… just cruised by on a weekday and thought, “let’s see what’s poppin’ inside.” And wh...
Hibiscus Jetski Hire
A real sanctuary in Auckland’s busy city centre and a top wedding destination for very good reasons. The Willis Organ is played on high festive days and completely changes the atmosphere like at Christmas or Easter. The chapel from early settlers shipping trips is also worth a look and don’t miss that little stone from Canterbury to say you‘ve been here. Give a gold coin donation or use the app or...
When is the best time to visit St Matthew-in-the-City (Auckland, New Zealand)?
Visit in October for the Heritage Festival bell-ringing open day. December features paid candlelight concerts by real candles. Weekdays (10 am–4:30 pm) are quieter for self-guided tours.
Explore These Activities
Typical Budget for a Family of 4 (2 Adults + 2 Kids)
| Item | Cost (Approx.) |
|---|---|
| Self-guided visit | NZD 0 |
| Bell-ringing open day | NZD 0 |
| Total Estimated | NZD 0 |
Note: All prices are indicative and may vary. Please check directly with the venue for the most accurate and up-to-date information.
Content Notice: This content combines editorial expertise with AI assistance to ensure comprehensive and up-to-date information. Our team regularly curates and reviews all content for accuracy and relevance. Help Us Improve
Map of St Matthew-in-the-City
Address: 132 Hobson Street, Auckland Central, Auckland 1010, New Zealand
Map will load when you scroll here
Scroll down to view the interactive map
Looking for other Things to Do besides St Matthew-in-the-City (Auckland)?
About St Matthew-in-the-City
Opening Hours
Hours may vary during holidays, special events, and peak seasons. Please check the official website for the most up-to-date information.
Website
Official WebsitePhone Number
+64 9 379 062510 BEST nearby Activities
Explore Popular Things to Do
🇳🇿 New Zealand, with kids
🇺🇸 United States, with kids
🇬🇧 United Kingdom, with kids
How You Can Support Us
If our website helps you, please support us by booking your travel needs through this link: Book Flights, Hotels, Activities on Trip.com - New App User Promo up to 10% OFF. We may earn a small affiliate commission - at no extra cost to you!
It's a simple way to help us keep the site running and improving for everyone. Thanks for your support!
10 BEST nearby Activities