Work under way on historic church

COMMUNITY ASSET: Robin Dunlop, St Luke's Union Church taskforce convener, outside the building which has had earthquake strengthening in the entranceway. PHOTO/LYNDA FERINGA

Strengthening will make building earthquake-proof

Earthquake strengthening has begun on a protected Masterton church but a lot more fundraising needs to be done to ensure the protection of the building for many more years to come.

St Luke's Union Church was built in 1906 and then rebuilt in the 1950s after the 1942 earthquake, which caused major damage throughout the region.

The congregation has been fundraising since 2012 for earthquake strengthening work to be completed, after finding out the building met only 37 per cent of current building regulations.

Church building taskforce convener Robin Dunlop said the entranceway work was finished and work on bracing the roof would begin in the summer.

"We didn't want bricks falling on anyone walking in or out," Dr Dunlop said. "We ... are waiting for the weather to get a bit better to do the roof. It should be mid-January."

So far the congregation had raised $14,000 with another $87,000 Lottery grant and $10,000 donated by Trust House for the work to be done but there was a major shortfall still with about $350,000 needed to be raised to complete the job, Dr Dunlop said.

Once the work is completed, various community programmes will operate from the building.

"We will keep fundraising, applying for money. We will keep going, keep smiling ... if people would like to help, everything will be gratefully received. We need to make the church safer for everyone who uses it," he said. "It's a protected, heritage building and we want to make sure it is available for the community."