The present-day cathedral replaced an earlier cathedral that was destroyed by the 1931 Hawke 's Bay earthquake . Begun in 1886 , consecrated in December 1888 , and largely complete by 1890 , the original cathedral of St John was a brick construction designed by Christchurch architect Benjamin Mountfort . Following the total destruction of the first cathedral a temporary building was erected on the site , standing from 1931 until it was closed in 1960
1931 Hawke 's Bay earthquake
1931 Hawke's Bay earthquake
Waiapu Cathedral of Saint John the Evangelist, Napier