Posts Tagged ‘Cathedral’

Dossier tells of vulnerability of Cathedral

Tuesday, November 8th, 2011

Little would be left of Christ Church Cathedral once dangerous parts of the building are removed, earthquake authority engineers say.

The Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority (Cera) released hundreds of pages of files they hold on the cathedral yesterday in response to ongoing debate about the future of the building.

The nearly 500 pages of files include engineering reports on the cathedral, emails, photographs, correspondence with the Christchurch City Council and minutes from meetings to discuss the future of the cathedral.

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Insurance cover on Cathedral cancelled

Friday, August 26th, 2011

Insurance cover has been cancelled for the Blessed Sacrament Cathedral in Christchurch. Ansvar Insurance will pay out on the existing policy but will not cover the cathedral for further aftershocks. Church spokesperson Simon Pascoe will not say how much the Cathedral was insured for, but says it was covered for its replacement value. A lot of Read more

Christchurch Basilica – an engineers view

Friday, August 5th, 2011

The stunning Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament, known as the Christchurch Basilica suffered considerable structural damage to the two towers flanking the entry portico, and to the main dome during recent earthquakes in Christchurch. However a plan to temporarily remove the main dome may help save large sections of the building. Opus International Consultants was Read more

Cathedral dome saved

Friday, July 8th, 2011

The Cathedral dome that once stood proud on the city’s Catholic Cathedral in Christchurch has been saved. Contractors are currently deconstructing the top half of the severely damaged cathedral and have completed the removal of the copper dome. Catholic Cathedral spokesman Lance Ryan says they’re pleased with the way the stripping of the copper and wooden beams Read more

Christchurch earthquake, an act of God? Christchurch Bishops’ Jones and Matthews reflect

Thursday, March 31st, 2011

The Catholic Bishop of Christchurch, Barry Jones, was on his way to Hokitika when the February 22 quake hit. He was out of mobile range until Arthur’s Pass, where he turned round and came back. An unreal event: he didn’t feel the shake but returned to a blitzed city. When we spoke, Jones was still Read more

Damaged churches may be relocated

Tuesday, March 29th, 2011

Bishop Jones seems to be open to the idea that the earthquake and subsequent demolitions and closures  might give the diocese a chance relocate some parish churches. When asked if the Catholic diocese is considering these kinds of issues he said  “We are, absolutely.”Our churches have all been built in communities that wanted churches where Read more

Don’t rebuild the Christchurch Cathedral

Tuesday, March 8th, 2011

Yes, it was glorious, but a great weakness has been horribly exposed – stone buildings are deadly in an earthquake zone. The Anglican cathedral in the heart of Christchurch has become a forlorn, desolate tomb; felled by a destructive double-act of God. The massive earthquake of 4 September was the first blow which no doubt weakened Read more