New Zealander Spends Years Building Church With Living Trees And It Looks Gorgeous

Mar 16, 2020 by apost team

Barry Cox, a resident of New Zealand, has constructed a church out of living trees. Not surprisingly, it is called Tree Church.

Cox is a devout Roman Catholic; he even dreamed of one day becoming the Pope. He also loved plants and decided to combine that with his propensity for big dreams to build his own church that would serve as a private and peaceful retreat. 

Cox had three acres of land to work with, and he placed the church in his own backyard. As the owner of a gardening company called Treelocations that specializes in replanting trees, he had access to the types of trees that he wanted to use for his church.

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Cox erected a metal framework that supported the trees and enabled the church to withstand bad weather. He used tea trees (Leptospermum) for the shady and dark walls and cut leaf alder trees (Alnus imperialis) for the roof. It took Cox four years to construct his church. The walkway leading up to the church is lined by rows of small trees. It both reminds people of the privacy of the church and creates a feeling of nature’s omnipresence.

The church sits at the end of the walkway on a large grassy lot surrounded by a fence apparently made of living shrubs. Like the church, the fence is supported and strengthened by a metal framework. It also has a metal gate.

Three gardens surround the church, and one of them contains a labyrinth. Such mazes were once believed to protect prized treasures. The church itself contains pews that can accommodate up to 100 guests. At the front stands an altar made from Italian marble.

Cox decided to open his Tree Church to the public in 2015. People can book the Tree Church as a venue for weddings and other events. Visitors who want to tour the Church should treat it as respectfully as a more conventional church. Cox has described it as a place for “quiet contemplation.” Dogs, food, and smoking are not allowed on church grounds.

The Tree Church’s website has announced that Cox is selling his creation. The now 68-year-old Cox has stated that he is looking for another, less work intensive project for now. He feels saddened to have to pass on his Tree Church and hopes the new owner will continue to develop the property. The church and the gardens will remain open to the public until early April this year.

Have you heard of the Tree Church before? Would you consider buying it or having your wedding there? Pass this along to see what your friends think of this wonderful piece of architecture!