The project involves major improvements, maintenance and repairs.

"We have a responsibility to fulfil the requirements to earthquake strengthen this building for public use and maintain the building as an impressive symbol of Christian Faith into the future," said Father Brian Fennessy, parish priest of Holy Name parish.

The renovation will take about 10 months. In the interim, church services and funerals will be held at St Thomas' Church on Mountain View Road.

Fennessy said the strengthening project will be undertaken by Christchurch company C Lund & Son, but the general public will not be able to view much of the upgrades.

"Most of the work will be internal and won't be seen on the outside."

Fennessy said there was already one crane on site, with another coming later in the year to take bells out. The eight bells in the bell tower weigh eight tonnes.

He said steel and concrete will be used to reinforce the basilica's nave, transepts and towers to ensure the structure is above the mandated 34 per cent of the New Building Standard.

"We've received money in donations and pledges, just over $1 million," said Fennessy.

The money was raised in campaigns that took place late last year to raise the required $1.6m for the project's completion.

"We are very happy with the contributions, but we still have to raise some more. Any other donations we never say no to."

The overall cost of the project is $2.4m, with $800,000 of that coming from Christchurch diocese insurance disbursements.

"We've got five years to raise the money."

The basilica, designed by Francis Petre, was completed in 1911 at a cost of £23,000 and in a construction time of two years.

Source

• stuff.co.nz
• Image: tripadvisor.co.nz

The Holy Family parish was formed in 2012 by combining two Timaru parishes, Timaru North and Sacred Heart

There are two churches in what was formally Timaru North, St Thomas the Apostle and St Joseph's.

St Joseph's, was built in 1938 and has not been used since 2009

"We haven't used that building for a Sunday Mass in five years. It's surplus to requirements," Father Brian Fennessy said.

If the decision is approved by the diocese, Father Fennessy said it would likely go on the market later in the year.

There are about 600 Holy Family parishioners attending each week.

Father Fennessey said that the two "great facilities" - St Thomas Church and the Sacred Heart Basilica - which were still being used were sustainable and served the needs of the parish very well.

Other possible changes, including that offices be consolidated at St Thomas' church administration area and that potential buyers be sought for the Sacred Heart centre and carpark section in Napier St, were still just proposals, said Father Fennessy.

Source

• Timaru Herald
• Image: rootsweb.ancestry.com