Churches appear to be the latest thing on the real estate market. They make highly sought-after living spaces, especially if someone’s already converted the ecclesiastical into the domestic, property agents say. One Roof editor Owen Vaughan says there will always be a market for quirky spaces with a sense of reverence. Some are converted into Read more
An Otago church ended its more than 150-year run last month, but not before being struck by an ‘‘act of God”. The final service and deconsecration at St Mary’s Anglican Church, in Omakau, was performed without lighting or an electric organ on February 21 after a storm four days earlier blew its electricity supply. Vicar, Read more
St Joseph’s Church in Douglas St, Timaru, New Zealand, was deconsecrated during a service last Sunday. The church has not been used for regular mass for the past five years and its deconsecration gave about 200 past parishioners a chance to say goodbye. Deconsecration removes the religious blessing placed on the building, in preparation for Read more
On Wednesday the 130-year-old spiritual centrepiece of Christchurch was reduced to an ordinary ruin. And all in the space of half an hour. Up to 350 people gathered under a leaden sky in Cathedral Square for the service of deconsecration, led by Bishop Victoria Matthews. They were principally cathedral people but a scattering of civic Read more