The Anglican Church says sacred and historical items inside ChristChurch Cathedral have suffered further damage from aftershocks.
The building was severely damaged in the February 2011 earthquake and is being replaced with the 'Cardboard Cathedral' near Latimer Square.
Bishop of Christchurch Victoria Matthews said camera footage taken this week revealed new damage to the tiles of the first four ships to Canterbury and the pulpit depicting the life of the first bishop of Christchurch.
"We haven't really been in for 18 months to have any sense of the amount of damage that has been done by all the aftershocks. Even a small aftershock can just make it that much worse, so it was very sobering."
The organ has also suffered damage, but the extent will not be known until it is inspected close up.
The damage is a result of aftershocks, bad weather and birds.
Bishop Matthews said she is glad the building has been deconsecrated - because what is happening now is an act of violence against it.
She is frustrated by the ongoing legal battle which is delaying the cathedral being made safe to enter.