BY: THE PLAID ZEBRA
After years of traveling abroad and observing a multitude of churches, Barry Cox was inspired to build one of his own. Using his New Zealand backyard as the canvas, he began to create a church full of life. With flourishing green walls and sparse foliage creating an illuminating roof canopy, this beautiful church is made entirely of live trees.
The church, which took four years to build, was created using an iron frame and a variety of carefully selected trees. Some have stone coloured trunks and some have scattered foliage, which ensures that the church will always be filled with sunlight, even in the winter.
Cox owns a gardening company called Treelocations, which replants whole large trees using giant mechanical spades. This allowed him to get creative and use the trees anyway he wanted.
The tree church is situated in three acres of garden and includes the church, a large canopy and a labyrinth walk. The church is host to many visitors including couples who have held their weddings there.
Cox’s love of trees and love of churches has blended in the best way possible. The tree church is a breathtaking retreat from society. Proving that there doesn’t have to be a divide between architecture and nature.
Sources: treechurch.co.nz, boredpanda.com
