Upgraded church opens its doors

HAPPY DAY: Presbytery Central Convener Reverend Steve Jourdain (left) and Reverend David Bebarfeld, minister of Westmere Presbyterian Memorial Church, had every reason to smile after yesterday's special service.

It was standing room only yesterday when the Westmere Presbyterian Memorial Church held its first service since a major upgrade to the building.

With the help of a $313,000 grant from the Lotteries Grants Board, the congregation has been able to bring the historic church, on SH3 north of Wanganui, up to earthquake-strength standard.

For the past couple of years services have been held in the church hall next door as local company DML Builders carried out extensive strengthening to the brick building.

First consecrated in 1924, it was built as a memorial to locals who paid the ultimate sacrifice during the 1914-18 war.

Reverend Steve Jourdain, convener for the Presbyterian Church for the lower North Island, said yesterday's rededication service marked a significant milestone for the church at Westmere and around the country.

Mr Jourdain said one of the challenges for congregations everywhere concerning earthquake regulations was this "awful tension" about whether it was worth spending money upgrading buildings for the size of their congregation.

"But this church at Westmere is a great example of where there's a vibrant congregation that has been growing and is looking to serve its community. It really is one of the good news stories," he said.

He said it took a lot of money to strengthen and restore buildings and people debate whether it was the best use of the money.

"This is a tension all churches are facing but this is one which has a strong sense of vision of what they want to do," Mr Jourdain said.

The last stage in the church's rebuild will involve the installation of stained glass windows at the northern end of the building.

That's expected to be completed in time for a special service the first Sunday after Anzac Day next year. As one of the very few war memorial churches in the country, it qualified under the Lottery World War One Commemoration, Environment and Heritage Committee rules. The intention was to have the church upgraded in time for Anzac Day services this year but delays in the project pushed that out to 2016.

Yesterday's service took on a special meaning for the Wanganui branch of the Merchant Navy Association with the church becoming the new home of the association's Red Ensign, lifebuoy and wreath.

The second and final stage in the project will include a covered courtyard and entry between the church and existing hall, a parish office and a minister's office.