Natural emergencies seem to be in the news all too frequently these days: earthquakes, wild fires, flooding, mudslides, extreme rain and wind events — the list goes on. We all know that we are supposed to be prepared, but are we?
Please join us for lunch to hear the compelling story about the impact the 2010–2011 Christchurch, New Zealand earthquakes had on their Cathedral and congregation.
Chris Oldham, from Christ Church Cathedral (NZ), will be joining us by Zoom to share his first hand experience of what it was like to be in their Cathedral on February 22, 2011 when the damaging earthquake occurred — and how their congregation continues to respond with faith and resilience.
Sunday, March 22, 2026
12:15pm in the Parish Hall
Christ Church Cathedral, Vancouver
Please take a moment to register here so that we can ensure to have lunch ready for you.
We have a limited number of spaces available for members of the Cathedral and other Diocesan parishes to attend in-person. You will receive an email — human generated, so it may take a day or two — confirming your registration.
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Born and bred in Christchurch, New Zealand, Chris Oldham is still there! Having completed a Master’s degree in the late 80's focusing on environmental studies and river conservation, he spent time working for a bank in London before returning home and falling into a job at the Cathedral. Thirty-five years later, he’s never got around to trying anything different!
When the first of the recent earthquakes hit the South Island of New Zealand in September 2010, Chris was delighted that seismic strengthening of the Cathedral in 1999 worked well and there was only some cosmetic damage. That all changed in February 2011 when the Cathedral was severely damaged in another quake.
Chris is now based in the Transitional “Cardboard” Cathedral while the reinstatement of the old building continues.
When not in a Cathedral, Chris enjoys walking a couple of crazy dogs, and travelling whenever possible — including a visit to Vancouver in 2019!
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This Cathedral CATS offering is made possible by a grant from the Anglican Foundation of Canada.
Images courtesy Chris Oldham and Christ Church Cathedral, NZ.