In the 1860's, during the reign of King Tawhaio war broke out in Waikato due to the colonisation process. Large scale, illegal confiscation of Tainui land resulted. During this time a British Signal Post was built on this hill, the trenches of which remain under the Cathedral.
The first Hamilton Anglican church was nearly completed in 1867 when it was burnt down. Despite extreme difficulties and a world-wide depression another church was completed in about 1871. However no one was satisfied with this church and it was sold to the Waikato Times for £105 with services then being held at the Courthouse.
Therefore the Anglican congregation did not have a church and the town of Hamilton did not have a public hall and it was thought it would be both economical as well as fulfilling a common need if all parties combined to obtain one. The Hall was completed in 1881. Fist Hamilton Town Hall and Church In 1884 on land at the foot of the present Cathedral the church was dedicated and consecrated in 1887. A new hall which was not shared with the local community was built in 1893. The new church however was built with Kahikatea and was badly affected by borer and a fund was set up to enable a new church to be built. Fist Hamilton Cathedral Modelled on a 15th Century Norfolk Church and designed in ferro-concrete by Warren and Blechynden of Hamilton, the present St Peter's was completed in 1916 and was the fourth church to be built and the third on this site. St Peter's Cathedral is the mother church for the Anglican Diocese of Waikato and shares this role with St Mary's Pro Cathedral in new Plymouth. The Cathedral is also a vibrant parish in its own right with the Dean of the Cathedral as its Vicar.