Ag 27 june, 2018

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Wednesday, June 27, 2018

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Retired Presbyterian minister Reverend Helen Wallis is in charge of St Paul’s Church while the parish contemplates a new future. PHOTO SUSAN SANDYS 260618-SS-0059

Church’s future hangs in balance BY LINDA CLARKE

LINDA.C@THEGUARDIAN.CO.NZ

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THE INDEPENDENT VOICE OF MID CANTERBURY

Presbyterian church-goers have been stunned and shocked by the failure of St Paul’s Church on Oxford Street to meet new building standards. A final service is planned there on Sunday with the congregation then to begin a discussion about its future. A recent seismic assessment that gave the church a D grade was unexpected, said the church’s interim moderator, the Reverend Brent Richardson, of Timaru. An initial evaluation in 2013 assessed the building at 44 per cent of New Build-

ing Standards so it was a surprise the actual strength was as low as 31 per cent (a D grade), he said. Church guidelines dictate it can no longer be used and there will be further consultation and assessment to see what is needed to bring the building back up to an acceptable seismic code. Reverend Richardson said the news was communicated to parishioners at St James’ Church in Tinwald on Sunday. The two parishes have been working towards amalgamation and hold alternate Sunday services at St Paul’s and St James’. The congregation was naturally

A community built around people.

shocked and stunned, he said. Services will be held in St Paul’s Church hall in the meantime. “This is not an easy time for the congregation of St Paul’s and people will be coming to terms with this situation and preparing to embark on a new journey of continuing faith. The church doesn’t disappear just because the doors are closed.”

CONTINUED

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Ag 27 june, 2018 by Ashburton Guardian - Issuu