Knox Church, Dunedin
Knox Church is an example of 19th-century Gothic Revival architecture and a central figure in the city’s religious and cultural landscape. Completed in 1876 and designed by prominent architect Robert Lawson, the church was built for the Presbyterian community during a period of rapid growth in the city. Its distinctive stone façade, rose window, and tall spire make it one of the most recognizable buildings along George Street, Dunedin’s main thoroughfare.
The church’s exterior is constructed from locally sourced bluestone and Oamaru stone, giving it a dramatic two-tone appearance. Inside, visitors are greeted by an elegant and spacious sanctuary adorned with fine timber detailing, stained-glass windows, and an impressive pipe organ. The high vaulted ceilings and soft natural light create a serene and contemplative atmosphere, while the furnishings reflect the Presbyterian tradition’s emphasis on simplicity and dignity.
Knox Church remains an active place of worship and community gathering. Beyond regular services, it often hosts concerts, lectures, and public events, drawing people from various backgrounds. Its acoustics and historic ambiance make it a favored venue for choral and classical performances, adding a cultural dimension to its religious role. Visitors are welcome to explore the interior when the church is open, and guided tours are sometimes available by arrangement.
The church’s exterior is constructed from locally sourced bluestone and Oamaru stone, giving it a dramatic two-tone appearance. Inside, visitors are greeted by an elegant and spacious sanctuary adorned with fine timber detailing, stained-glass windows, and an impressive pipe organ. The high vaulted ceilings and soft natural light create a serene and contemplative atmosphere, while the furnishings reflect the Presbyterian tradition’s emphasis on simplicity and dignity.
Knox Church remains an active place of worship and community gathering. Beyond regular services, it often hosts concerts, lectures, and public events, drawing people from various backgrounds. Its acoustics and historic ambiance make it a favored venue for choral and classical performances, adding a cultural dimension to its religious role. Visitors are welcome to explore the interior when the church is open, and guided tours are sometimes available by arrangement.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Dunedin. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "911: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
Knox Church on Map
Sight Name: Knox Church
Sight Location: Dunedin, New Zealand (See walking tours in Dunedin)
Sight Type: Religious
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Dunedin, New Zealand (See walking tours in Dunedin)
Sight Type: Religious
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Dunedin, New Zealand
Create Your Own Walk in Dunedin
Creating your own self-guided walk in Dunedin is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Dunedin Introduction Walking Tour
Mark Twain had a way of dressing compliments in sarcasm, and when he visited Dunedin in 1895, he couldn’t resist. Looking around at the Scottish settlement on New Zealand’s southern coast, he quipped: “The people are Scotch. They stopped here on their way from home to heaven-thinking they had arrived.”
The city of Dunedin carries a name that reflects its Scottish roots. The word comes... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.7 Km or 2.3 Miles
The city of Dunedin carries a name that reflects its Scottish roots. The word comes... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.7 Km or 2.3 Miles
University of Otago Historical Buildings Walk
The University of Otago, founded in 1869, is New Zealand’s oldest university, and its early buildings remain some of the most distinctive in the country. The story of these structures is tied to Dunedin’s wider history. When gold was discovered in Otago in the 1860s, the city boomed into a wealthy provincial capital, eager to match the institutions of Europe. Education became a central part of... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.3 Km or 1.4 Miles
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.3 Km or 1.4 Miles


