The Marsden Cross at Oihi, Bay of Islands

Head to the Bay of Islands and at Oihi Bay you’ll discover the Marsden Cross

Tucked into Oihi Bay, overlooking stunning waters of the Bay of Islands stands the Marsden Cross.

While visitors tend to flock to the point to learn about the cross and the stories behind it, the cross dates back to 1907, when it was originally erected. It was formally unveiled on March 12 by his Excellency the Governor, with a crowd of around 300, and many others watching from boats offshore.

At that time the monument was described as

The monument is in the form of a Celtic cross standing on a massive “die,” over a base and sub-base. The whole structure is of hard stone, the cross and die being of Melbourne bluestone, from the Malmesbury  quarries, Victoria, and the bases of local volcanic stone. On the front of the die is a slab, bearing the inscription, in deeply—cut Roman‘ letters.

It was designed by Archdeacon Walsh and made by Mr Bouskill of Symonds Street in Auckland, and cost about 225 pounds.

The fundraising for the cross was first publicised in the Church Gazette of the Diocese of Auckland, in November 1905, the matter having been the subject of a resolution of the previous Diocesan Synod.

Archdeacon Walsh wrote:

“The scale of the cross would, of course, depend on the funds available, but the object being one that appeals so strongly to every Christian in New Zealand, there should be no difficulty in obtaining a sum sufficient to erect a really worthy monument.  I have already received a promise of 100m pounds and three promises of 5 pounds each, on the condition that the memorial be in the shape of a stone cross, to be erected on, or as near as possible to the spot on which the service was held …”

In April 1918, the Bishop visited Oihi and noted at the Standing Committee meeting, that the top part of the cross had fallen off after a recent storm.  After fundraising again, it was later repaired with a new top section added.  The photograph shows the cross with its replacement top section and the old part lying on the ground.

The Marsden Cross was inspired by another Celtic Cross: The Drake Cross (also known as the Prayer Book Cross), which still stands to this day in the Golden Gate Park in San Francisco.