Media Statement

Monday 16 March 2015

Final Liturgy and Blessing before work begins on securing a Wellington Landmark

After much cleaning and sweeping the beautiful St Mary’s of the Angels is to be reopened for a final liturgy and blessing before it closes for at least two years as work begins to preserve this important heritage building.

Parish Priest Father Barry Scannell said: “At 2pm on Tuesday 17 March we will hold a short liturgy and blessing for our church and the workers who will bring it safely back to us in its rightful place in our community, as a cultural venue, and an important part of Wellington’s streetscape. The service will be followed by an afternoon tea in the Parish grounds, which will also be closed to members of the public during the work.

“Attending the service will be not only parishioners, but also the large number of generous donors – both big and small who have enabled us to get to this point, and the many people who have supported this project in other ways. It will be an uplifting occasion, but also one tinged with sadness as we temporarily say farewell to the beautiful vaulting interior.

“So far we have raised $3.1 million which means we can start on this first stage of the restrengthening, but we very much hope through the support of the wider New Zealand and Wellington community, we will be able to raise the remaining funds to continue the work into the second stage and finish the project within two years,” Father Barry said.

A further $6.3m is required to finish the job.

The beautiful historic church was closed following the July 2013 earthquakes in Wellington and although the Church suffered no structural damage in the 6.5 quake, it highlighted the urgency of completing the strengthening work.

Significant strengthening work is required to bring the Church as close to 100 percent of the earthquake code as possible; currently it meets only 15-20% of the current code.

The nearly 100 year old Catholic Church was designed by the nationally renowned Wellington architect Frederick de Jersey Clere, and has a Category 1 Historic Places Trust listing. The Church is not only the Parish Church for Wellington Central, but also the venue for many other significant musical and cultural events.

With its world-class acoustics and rich tradition in sacred music, it is an important venue for cultural events by groups such as the New Zealand Arts Festival, the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra and the New Zealand String Quartet.

Father Barry said: “Over the next few months we will be going out to all Wellingtonians and others to seek their support for preserving this Wellington icon, which is treasured by so many people in the city and throughout New Zealand. The church is an important building from an architectural, cultural and spiritual perspective in the city, contributing hugely to the identity and vibrancy of Wellington,” Father Barry said.

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