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This story originally appeared at Goodfullness by Timothy Roberts.

It doesn’t matter if you have an interest in architecture or not, you’ve got to admit that there is a lot of beauty on this planet associated with architecture. One type of building that is often known for architectural beauty is the cathedral. They often feature wonderful designs and can take your breath away. Many churches in the world have architectural features that are considered beautiful. They may include precious metals, stained glass, and other unique materials or designs. One architect has created a different kind of cathedral, one that you may not have seen the likes of before.

Barry Cox has had an interest in gardening his entire life. He was raised in a Catholic household and from the time that he was young he wanted to be the Pope. He also developed a new love as he got older.

He found that he could make some inspiring creations with plants. One of those creations is a living cathedral. It’s a masterpiece of different types of trees and if it sounds fantastic to you, it truly is! The building is on three acres of land lush, green land in New Zealand.

Barry Cox used his creativity to transform this landscape into a religious destination. In order to create the masterpiece, he cared out four years of his life to achieve his dream. When visitors come to the area, they can’t help but feel reverence for it.

The entrance to the cathedral is lined with small trees. As you walk up to the building, you begin to feel as though you’re in the middle of nature.

The cathedral is in the middle of a clearing and has a small gate in the wall to protect the building from intruders. They also help to define the space around the church, which is the biggest achievement on the property.

The cathedral is based on an iron framework that makes it look like a traditional church. Laciniata trees were used to form the ceiling while Leptospermum trees make up the walls and provide the church with a dark, lush, and rich texture. The dark wood against the green grass makes a contrast that is remarkably beautiful.

Inside the church, you will find open, earthy spaces. The canopy of trees overhead allows some natural light to enter. There is also an altar at the front of the church made of Italian marble.

The gardens surrounding the cathedral are also quite impressive. Barry Cox’s love of plants really shows through in his creation. A labyrinth maze was added to give the area a historic feel, as mazes have been used in the past as protection for precious treasures. Multicolored plants add a captivating beauty to space as a whole.

The garden was originally intended to be the architect’s own personal space, but visitors have made it a popular destination. It’s been used for weddings and large events.

This is truly a gardening feat and an architectural wonder. The beauty is truly going to amaze you.