A central Wellington church is set to reopen today, nearly four years after it closed for earthquake strengthening.
St Mary of the Angels Catholic church on Boulcott Street in downtown Wellington. Photo: www.nzcatholic.org.nz
St Mary of the Angels, a category-one heritage building, has been closed since the Seddon earthquakes in July 2013.
Father Barry Scannell said the parish had to fundraise nearly $10m for the work.
"It is truly for us as a Catholic community and as a Christian community because, of course, the resurrection of Christ is the high point of the Christian year.
"And this, we believe, is an appropriate time to reopen the church because it really is a resurrection for St Mary of the Angels."
He said he hoped the reopening would also boost congregation numbers, which dropped by about 150 people the day the church was closed.