NPDC building funds show good faith in preserving legacy buildings

Two iconic churches dating from the 19^thCentury are to get a facelift to help preserve them for future generations with grants from NPDC’s Built Cultural Heritage Protection Fund.

Applications are now open for the latest round of the fund.

Sacred Heart Catholic Church, which was built by Polish immigrants on Inglewood’s Standish Street in 1899, is to get $25,000 towards the cost of repainting the church, which is listed as Category A for protection under NPDC’s District Plan.

Mass is held in the church four times a week and attracts about 100 people every Sunday and the church and neighbouring hall building are used by a range of community groups.

“The church is an important part of our community, and the buildings were last painted in 2012, but the older part was starting to look a bit tired, as older buildings can do, so the funding has enabled us to paint the church to keep it looking tidy and protect it from the elements,” said Sacred Heart Parish Father Brian Carmine.

St Paul’s Anglican Church has been at the heart of Urenui on Ngakoti Street since 1888.

The church is used for services once a month and for prayer group once a week, and occasionally for weddings and funerals.

It will get $9,500 towards the cost of cleaning, repairing and painting the outside of the building as well as the front gate and wall.

St Paul’s Lay Minister Nerida Halcombe said about 15 people attend the monthly services, but special events such as Easter, Christmas, weddings and funerals can bring in many more from across the district.

“The fund has helped enormously in meeting the need to have the building repainted.  It’s well loved by the people who attend and for the community it stands as a presence of our history and a presence of faith in our community.  There’s a feeling about the place that reminds us of those who worshipped here in the past,” said Mrs Halcombe.

The grants came from NPDC’s Built Cultural Heritage Protection Fund to help private property owners look after and preserve heritage buildings.

“Our heritage buildings are an important part of our history and the sense of identity in our centres. The grants will help local jobs and businesses who do the work while preserving the legacy of previous generations and in building a Sustainable Lifestyle Capital where people want to live, work and raise their families,” said NPDC Group Manager Strategic Partnerships Kathryn Scown.

Building and business owners can apply on our website Built, Cultural Heritage Protection Fund and Natural Heritage Protection Fund (npdc.govt.nz) until 31 May.

FAST FACTS

• In the past eight years, NPDC grants have helped preserve buildings including:
  • The King’s Building, corner of Brougham and Devon streets ($25k)
  • St Mary’s Vicarage, next to Taranaki Cathedral ($75k)
  • The White Hart Hotel ($45k)
  • The Hooker’s Building, King Street ($75k)
  • The Old TSB Bank, Devon Street West ($55k)
  • Val Deakin Dance Centre, St Aubyn Street ($15k)
  • Red Post Building, Devon Street East ($50k)
  • The Colliers Building, Devon Street by the Huatoki Plaza ($18k)
  • St Aubyn Chambers, Queen Street ($50K)

Caption: Lay Minister at St Paul’s Anglican Church in Urenui, Nerida Halcombe.