Gisborne arts hub vision emerges as St Andrew’s church counts down to closure date

A repurposing group is trying to save Gisborne's St Andrews Church and turn it into a community arts hub. Photo / James Pocock

Gisborne’s iconic St Andrew’s Church could be saved if a group of community arts enthusiasts has its way.

A group has been formed to explore buying St Andrew’s Church on Cobden St and converting it into a community arts centre.

“We were alarmed by the prospect of losing the much-loved concert venue of St Andrew’s Church, but we’re determined to save it,” group member, music teacher and singer Catherine Macdonald said.

The Gisborne Herald reported last October that the Gisborne Presbyterian Parish, made up of the churches of St Andrews and Matawhero, will close on June 30 this year because of falling congregations.

St Andrew’s Church houses a Croft pipe organ, a baby grand Yamaha piano, an upright Toyo piano, owned by Gisborne Music Teachers, and a French Double harpsichord, owned by the Gisborne Choral Society.

The group is commissioning a survey on the building’s condition to assess the feasibility of its purchase, repair and continued maintenance.

The group also needs to create a viable business plan to present to the owners by the June closure date.

The group hoped the owners might use a local management team to keep the buildings open for use for an interim period, Macdonald said.

Serious fundraising will be needed.

“The vision for the complex is to cater for musical and artistic groups, offer venues for education and development in many fields, including theatre, music, other cultural performances, artistic displays, workshops, and conferences.

“It could become a major focus and stimulus to Gisborne’s creative arts and identity,” Macdonald said.

The group is seeking interest from businesspeople who could help with community partnerships.

They are also looking for someone to take on the development and delivery of regular community communications.

“The community is vital to retaining and repurposing this historic building,” Macdonald said.

“We’ve already had so much positive feedback, and we’re confident people are going to get behind this.”

Anyone who can help can contact group member Margaret Graham on email at m.n.e.gra@xtra.co.nz.

St Andrew's Church is the venue for performances by the Gisborne Choral Society and Orchestra and is known for its wonderful acoustics.

St Andrew’s was built in 1913, next to an earlier wooden church built in 1874. The older church was demolished in 1954 to make way for the modern hall, which shares the Cobden St site with the church.

The St Andrew’s building was strengthened after the 2007 earthquake thanks to community fundraising, but it needed further renovation for plaster and roof leaks.