Church candles hold a place in Christian worship that has remained essentially unchanged for more than a thousand years. Their symbolism — light representing faith, Christ as the light of the world, the illumination of scripture — is consistent across Catholic, Anglican, Presbyterian, and other traditions, even as the specific liturgical uses vary by denomination.
Golden Glow Candles has supplied NZ churches, chapels, and religious organisations since 1969. Our Festival brand altar and pillar candles are used in parishes throughout New Zealand and the Pacific. This guide covers the main types of church candles, their liturgical uses, sizing standards, and what to look for when ordering.
A Brief History of Candles in Christian Worship
The use of candles in Christian worship dates to the early church, originally as practical illumination for night services. By the 4th century, candles had acquired liturgical significance — the Paschal candle, lit at Easter Vigil to symbolise the risen Christ, appears in written records by the late 4th century. Medieval Catholic practice formalised candle use extensively: altar candles, processional candles, votive candles, and candles for the sacraments all developed distinct roles.
The Reformation reduced but did not eliminate candle use in Protestant traditions. Anglican, Lutheran, and Methodist churches retained candles in varying degrees. Today, candles remain present across virtually all Christian denominations in NZ, from the elaborate candlescapes of high-church Catholic and Anglican settings to the simple taper on a communion table in a Baptist or Presbyterian church.
Types of Church Candles
Altar Candles
Altar candles are the paired candles flanking the cross or tabernacle on a church altar. In Catholic tradition, the number of candles required varies by the liturgical rank of the Mass — two for a low Mass, six for a solemn Mass. In Anglican churches, two altar candles are standard. These candles need to be tall enough to be visible above the altar — 300mm to 600mm heights are typical in NZ parishes, with diameters from 25mm to 50mm depending on the setting.
Paschal (Easter) Candle
The Paschal candle is the large pillar candle lit at Easter Vigil and used throughout the Easter season and at baptisms and funerals throughout the year. In NZ parishes, Paschal candles are typically 80–100mm in diameter and 500–900mm tall — substantial enough to be the visual focal point of the sanctuary. They often carry decorative symbols: the cross, Alpha and Omega, the year, and five grains of incense representing Christ’s wounds. Our larger pillar candles can serve this purpose in parishes that don’t require a custom-decorated Paschal candle.
Sanctuary / Tabernacle Lamp
In Catholic churches, a perpetually burning sanctuary lamp near the tabernacle indicates the presence of the Blessed Sacrament. Traditionally a red oil lamp, modern versions increasingly use liquid paraffin systems for cleanliness and consistency. Our lamp refill systems are used by NZ parishes for exactly this purpose.
Votive / Prayer Candles
Votive candles — small, short-burning candles placed in devotional racks or holders — are used in Catholic and Anglo-Catholic churches for individual prayer intentions. They’re typically tealight-sized or in small glass cups. Our tea light candles and glass votive holders are suitable for this use.
Processional Candles
Carried during processions at the beginning and end of services, processional candles are typically long tapers — 400–600mm — in processional candlesticks. These need to be wind-resistant enough to stay lit while being carried, which favours candles with good wax formulation rather than thin decorative tapers.
The Festival Brand: Why NZ Churches Trust It
Our Festival brand candles are manufactured in Auckland using paraffin wax formulations developed specifically for institutional use. What this means in practice:
- Drip resistance: Formulated to resist dripping, which matters for altar linens, carpets, and candleholders used over years.
- Consistent burn: Each candle in a batch performs identically to the last — critical when you have matched altar candles that need to burn at the same rate.
- Minimal soot: Clean-burning formulation reduces residue on ceilings, walls, and candleholders — a practical consideration in heritage church buildings.
- Standard NZ sizing: Festival candles are sized to the standards used by NZ parishes, so they fit existing candlesticks and holders without modification.
Festival candles have been supplied to NZ churches since the 1970s. If your parish has used them before, the current range is the same product.
Schools and Religious Education Settings
NZ schools with chapels, school assemblies with a religious character, and Catholic or Anglican school settings use candles in ways that differ slightly from parish use. School chapel candles typically need to be compact and low-maintenance — a 60×80mm pillar or a simple taper in a secure holder suits a school setting better than the larger altar candles appropriate for a full parish church. Safety is a priority: candles in school settings should be in stable, enclosed holders that prevent accidental contact.
For school liturgical events — Advent, Lent, graduation Masses, memorial services — our Festival pillar candles and taper candles are suitable. If you’re ordering for a school and need advice on the right sizes for your specific holders or chapel layout, contact us and we can advise.
Ordering Church Candles
Our church candle range includes 31 products covering altar candles, pillar candles, taper candles, tea lights, and votive options in the sizes most commonly used by NZ parishes. Key ordering information:
- Candles are available individually or in bulk case quantities
- Most parishes reorder 2–4 times per year depending on service frequency and candle use
- Free shipping on all orders over $99 — most parish orders comfortably reach this threshold
- For schools, religious organisations, and parishes with regular needs, contact us to discuss account arrangements
If you need help identifying the right candle size for your candlesticks or holders, contact us with the holder dimensions and we can advise. Call 0800 CANDLE (0800 226 353) or use our contact form.
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