A quarter-peal of bells heralded the installation of Digby Wilkinson as Dean of Wellington on Sunday afternoon.

Digby also had a hand in some bell-ringing but not with the vigour required of ringers in the tower of St Paul's Cathedral.

The churchwardens led the new Dean to his office where, at the flick of a switch, he rang seven tolls to mark his installation as the 7th Dean of Wellington.  

Digby, his wife Jane and family were led into the Cathedral by a large contingent from his previous congregation at Palmerston North Central Baptist.

It was both a sad and joyous occasion for the Palmerston North folk as they acknowledged Digby's return to the Anglican tradition.

Bishop Justin Duckworth described Digby's appointment as "miraculous, a long journey with the presence of God well known."

The installation service also marked the Cathedral's 50th year of ministry in the central city.