Earthquake prone churches in Temuka and Pleasant Point have become the latest earthquake victims with both churches now closed following engineering reports.
The Catholic Bishop of Christchurch, Bishop Barry Jones, after consultation with parish priest Father Brian Fennessy, accepted the structural engineers’ recommendations to close the buildings.
The St Joseph’s Catholic Church in Temuka has had ongoing engineering assessments, particularly after the February 22 earthquake last year. Following a recent review the building was considered to be earthquake prone. Work will begin immediately to remove the spire from the church to lessen the risk of it falling.
Sunday Mass will be celebrated at St Joseph’s Hall, with weekday Mass continuing at the St Mary MacKillop Chapel.
A recent survey of the St Mary’s Catholic Church in Pleasant Point confirmed some parts of the building were no longer vertical, compromising its strength.
Mass will be celebrated in the adjacent Kerry Hall.