Damaged church north of Kaikōura to be saved

Thursday, 22 February 2018

St Oswald's Memorial Church on State Highway 1, between Blenheim and Kaikōura, can be saved from demolition.

While no church bells were chiming, they would have been fitting for the occasion.

The future of a quaint, old church nestled on State Highway 1, between Kaikōura and Blenheim, has been proclaimed. And it's good.

Leicester Murray is over-joyed the church can remain standing.

St Oswald's Memorial Church, in Wharanui, has been sitting unoccupied on the South Island's east coast since the 7.8-magnitude earthquake in November 2016 forced its doors to close.

Engineers have confirmed the church can be saved.

The cost of repairing the church is expected to run into the six digits.

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Inside the memorial church suffered cracks and loose rock after the quake.

Leicester Murray, the grandchild of Charles and Jessie Murray, who built St Oswald's Church in 1927, was over-joyed the church did not have to be pulled down.

'It's a fantastic, positive feeling,' he said.

Murray set up a Givealittle page after the quake to try and raise funds for the damaged church.

While he still had a long way to go to raise the necessary money, he said it was 'heart-warming' to get such a positive response nationally and internationally.

Murray anticipated the cost of repairing the church would be well over $100,000.

'It's a little daunting as to how that repair will be managed and let alone funded.'

Nelson Diocesan Trust Board trustee David Allpress said while the diocese did not have the resources to help fund the repair work, they were pleased to hear the church could be saved.

'Our diocese is greatly encouraged that St Oswald's might be repaired. It is a beautiful church, so admired by many, particularly those who journey down the east coast,' he said.

Allpress said the diocese was 'indebted' to the Murray family for their work in keeping the church on its feet.

Murray said the church would retain its heritage style despite eventual repair work.

He said people came to the church for the 'experience' and he did not want that to end.

'I feel that's quite a strong justification for repairing it because it means so much more to the people than simply services on Sunday morning.'

He wasn't sure when the church would be repaired as money wasn't on their side but said he was 'looking forward' to the day people could return to the church and enjoy its 'tranquility'.

'It would be fantastic to have the key back in the door as it was pre-earthquake.'

To donate towards the church's repairs, visit Givealittle.