The new Philomena Hall was built over the last four months and can hold around 300 people.

Principal Anna Wormald said the school was lucky to have the facility available, after three years of moving seats out of classrooms to make room for special events.

"As they say, out of some bad comes some good, there's some bonuses for us," she said.

When she was interviewed last year Wormald said "On a weekly basis we empty a classroom and we squeeze into a very small space to get the children in but it's very much limited to parent involvement."

"We are a very close community school and it'll be nice to bring our community back together and for them to feel like they can be there and be part of the things that we do."

"Even little things like practicing for the school dance would be easier as they wouldn't have to wait for a fine day to practise for the concert outside the school office."

The hall has been paid for by the Diocese of Palmerston North and other fundraising efforts and the school.

Last Friday afternoon the students, teachers, parents and grandparents lined up outside the school before walking across the playground and into the hall for the first time.

A table in the hall has been made by the grandfather of one of the students using wood salvaged from the church.

The stained glass windows are also the same colour as the church.

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• stuff.co.nz
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He also ruled there was not enough evidence to suggest the fire had been started deliberately in the first place.

After the ruling, Mischeski, who was in court to hear the judgment, thanked Courtney.

Her lawyer Jo Woodcock was also "really pleased" with the outcome and said it had been difficult for Mischeski to have been accused of being involved in destroying the church, a place which had been a big part of her life.

Mischeski was arrested and charged with arson by New Plymouth police only hours after a blaze gutted the Brooklands Rd church and damaged the neighbouring St Pius X School library.

Outside of court, Father Craig Butler said while he was pleased with the ruling, parishioners of St Philomena's were still sad about what had happened.

Following the fire, the church was demolished in July 2014.

"I continue to grieve with them for the loss of the church," he said.

Courtney heard reports from New Zealand Fire Service's Matt Crabtree, Grant Weavers who acted on behalf of the church's insurer and Ken Legat who reviewed the case for Woodcock.

He said while the three men agreed the fire had started in the children's room in the church building, none found evidence of an accelerant being used.

While Crabtree and Weavers believed the fire had been deliberate, Legat believed the cause of the fire was undetermined.

While Crabtree and Weavers both ruled out an electrical cause for the fire in their reports, Courtney said both men admitted under cross examination at the hearing that it could have been a possible factor.

He said reports from church goers about problems at the building, including a malfunctioning ceiling fan, flickering lights and blown fuses were not investigated and an independent electrical inspection was not requested by police.

Last week, a group of about 10 mostly elderly people, several of whom were family members, supported Donna Joy Esma Mischeski in court where she pleaded not guilty to wilfully damaging Saint Philomena Church.

One of her supporters says she believes Ms Mischeski, who is a member of the Catholic community, would never have intended to cause any harm.

Outside, her brother-in-law Laurie Koch said Mischeski had extensive mental health issues and should be in supportive care.

A psychiatrist is satisfied Ms Mischeski is fit to stand trial.

She has been remanded on bail until her case review hearing on May 15

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• Stuff.co.nz
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