Auckland's holy Trinity Cathedral consecrated after 174 years

Holy Trinity Cathedral, left, and the Bishop Selwyn Chapel. Photo / Supplied

Auckland's Holy Trinity Cathedral will be consecrated on Saturday - a full 174 years after the land was first purchased.

Consecration is the act of dedicating a building with a religious purpose- setting it apart so people can focus on an awareness of God.

It can only be done once a building is completed and debt-free.

The cathedral land was purchased by the first Anglican Bishop of Auckland, George Augustus Selwyn, in 1843, but not built until the 1950s.

The Anglican Bishop of Auckland, the Rt Rev Ross Bay, will lead the consecration.

"The first Bishop of Auckland, Bishop Selwyn, offered us the vision of a cathedral to serve the people of Auckland," he said in a statement. "It is very exciting for our generation to see that vision fulfilled, and to be able to offer Holy Trinity Cathedral to God for that purpose."

The Cathedral's Dean, the Very Rev Anne Mills, said Bishop Selwyn bought the land with the intent to make it a "centre for educational, social, charitable and missionary work".

All Christian churches were required to be consecrated once completed.

Christchurch Cathedral was consecrated in 1881, after building began in the 1860s.

Holy Trinity Cathedral hosted the funerals of Sir Edmund Hillary and Sir Paul Holmes.

The Consecration Service will be at 3pm at the Church on Saturday, October 28.