A Church in New Zealand Is the Epitome of Going Green

New Zealander Barry Cox has created a green church made entirely of living plants on his property in the town of Ohaupo. Walls built of copper sheen are covered with a façade of camellia black tie, acer globosum, and thuja pyramidalis. Cut-leaf alder is slowly growing in as the chapel’s roof, but for now sunlight dapples the earthen floor, wooden pews, and Italian marble altar.

Cox, who runs his own tree-relocation service, built the church around an iron frame that he will remove once the trees and other plants grow strong enough to support the structure on their own. The 100-seat church is just a small part of his three-acre sanctuary, which features a labyrinth modeled after the ancient city of Jericho and a reception tent made from an old military parachute.

Cox intended that the structure would be a personal retreat, but increasing interest from his friends and family prompted his decision to open the church and gardens to the public. The venue will be available to rent out for weddings and other events.

Tree Church, 119 West Road, Ohaupo, New Zealand; treechurco