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Updates about our church building
WCC, Heritage, Diocese and All Saints Meeting Update
Kia ora All Saints, I just wanted to give you a quick update about my meeting on Wednesday this week regarding our building process.
The meeting included the Wellington City Council Heritage Department, Heritage New Zealand, the Diocese, and All Saints.
I had with me from All Saints Tony Pettigrew, who, as we know, is a structural engineer. We had Ben (Dio Manager) and Sisi (Dio property) from the Diocese who are amazing and we're in really good relationship with. We had Dean Raymond who is from New Zealand Heritage and he is also a parishioner at St Tom's Newtown and he had his colleague with him. Then we had two people from Wellington City Council who are in the Heritage Department.
The short version is we got an opportunity to lay the platform for where we've been as a parish in terms of our conversations and where we've landed on those things, outlining our process for them, that we've talked a lot about future-proofing this place and our heart behind the building and our struggles with the cost etc.
Dean Raymond spoke from a Heritage NZ aspect about where the value of Heritage is and how that's important to Heritage New Zealand, but ultimately, they just advise in that regard.
I followed that up with the question of who sets the value on that Heritage status and what that's worth.
The Wellington City Council then followed up explaining that there is a piece of the process that's really important to determine that value, which is called a Conservation Report. They said that this report is vital to going forward in this process, it also provides a thorough examination of the Heritage value of the place outside and in and where the value of the Heritage is and what it's found in, for example, stained glass windows or stairs or whatever it is, this helps to determine where Heritage New Zealand and the Council are seeing the value and that status.We also spoke briefly about the need for an updated seismic testing report, which wouldn't require too much since we have had a thorough one done in 2018
The WCC advised us of several possible funding routes to take, which was fantastic, and we will work closely with the Diocese, who will make these applications on our behalf.
This meeting felt holy and ordained in the conversation and the relationship building. Please continue to pray for God to be at work amongst us; remember that this is a thing we have to steward, but it is NOT the main thing that's preaching and living out the Good News of Jesus.
Much love,
The meeting included the Wellington City Council Heritage Department, Heritage New Zealand, the Diocese, and All Saints.
I had with me from All Saints Tony Pettigrew, who, as we know, is a structural engineer. We had Ben (Dio Manager) and Sisi (Dio property) from the Diocese who are amazing and we're in really good relationship with. We had Dean Raymond who is from New Zealand Heritage and he is also a parishioner at St Tom's Newtown and he had his colleague with him. Then we had two people from Wellington City Council who are in the Heritage Department.
The short version is we got an opportunity to lay the platform for where we've been as a parish in terms of our conversations and where we've landed on those things, outlining our process for them, that we've talked a lot about future-proofing this place and our heart behind the building and our struggles with the cost etc.
Dean Raymond spoke from a Heritage NZ aspect about where the value of Heritage is and how that's important to Heritage New Zealand, but ultimately, they just advise in that regard.
I followed that up with the question of who sets the value on that Heritage status and what that's worth.
The Wellington City Council then followed up explaining that there is a piece of the process that's really important to determine that value, which is called a Conservation Report. They said that this report is vital to going forward in this process, it also provides a thorough examination of the Heritage value of the place outside and in and where the value of the Heritage is and what it's found in, for example, stained glass windows or stairs or whatever it is, this helps to determine where Heritage New Zealand and the Council are seeing the value and that status.We also spoke briefly about the need for an updated seismic testing report, which wouldn't require too much since we have had a thorough one done in 2018
The WCC advised us of several possible funding routes to take, which was fantastic, and we will work closely with the Diocese, who will make these applications on our behalf.
This meeting felt holy and ordained in the conversation and the relationship building. Please continue to pray for God to be at work amongst us; remember that this is a thing we have to steward, but it is NOT the main thing that's preaching and living out the Good News of Jesus.
Much love,
Third Building Meeting Debrief
Parishioners gathered for our third parish conversation workshop on 8 September. Alongside Denise Church, the Parish Council reviewed the survey results and gave feedback on them.
From there two main options were identified to explore.
Option A: Adaptation
This was a combination of scenario 2 and 3 from our second Conversation: Strengthen and renovate, keeping some of the façade of the brick building and redeveloping inside its footprint.
Option B: New Build
Remove the brick building entirely and build a multi-purpose building for worship and community use.
Alongside the many ideas suggested by the workshop discussion groups, the parish raised questions including: How would the revamped or new building serve the church’s vision and purpose?
The next step will be for the Parish Council to form a building committee that will work on obtaining cost estimates for the two options, as well as the cost of doing nothing (including ongoing maintenance and insurance). These estimates will then be brought to the parish at an Annual General Meeting or Special General Meeting.
There was a really powerful sense of collective commitment as a parish to future-proofing this resource for future generations, while holding on to some of the sacred elements of a place of worship.
That moment came when we were asked to identify if there was any hesitation in moving forward in this direction, from which it was clear that we were all committed together.
We will provide updates through our newsletters, AGM and website when we have further developments to report.
From there two main options were identified to explore.
Option A: Adaptation
This was a combination of scenario 2 and 3 from our second Conversation: Strengthen and renovate, keeping some of the façade of the brick building and redeveloping inside its footprint.
Option B: New Build
Remove the brick building entirely and build a multi-purpose building for worship and community use.
Alongside the many ideas suggested by the workshop discussion groups, the parish raised questions including: How would the revamped or new building serve the church’s vision and purpose?
The next step will be for the Parish Council to form a building committee that will work on obtaining cost estimates for the two options, as well as the cost of doing nothing (including ongoing maintenance and insurance). These estimates will then be brought to the parish at an Annual General Meeting or Special General Meeting.
There was a really powerful sense of collective commitment as a parish to future-proofing this resource for future generations, while holding on to some of the sacred elements of a place of worship.
That moment came when we were asked to identify if there was any hesitation in moving forward in this direction, from which it was clear that we were all committed together.
We will provide updates through our newsletters, AGM and website when we have further developments to report.
Second Building Meeting Debrief
On Sunday the 16 June we met again for our second Building Conversation.
This time Parish Council bought five scenarios for developing our site plus an option that might be available to add to any of the other options.
We spent some time going around all of the stations assessing the options in terms of these four questions:
There was a lot of energy spent, a lot of conversations had and we have now collected all these answers so we can take the next steps.
We are going to be collating all the information so far into a report that we can produce for the Parish.
We are then going to survey all parishioners to help us develop further and then join back together for the third workshop where we are going to try to get a sense of ranking the options so we can explore where we go as a Parish Council. Look out for these coming out in our newssheet.
Our next meeting is the 8th September at 3pm with dinner to follow at 5.30pm.
This time Parish Council bought five scenarios for developing our site plus an option that might be available to add to any of the other options.
We spent some time going around all of the stations assessing the options in terms of these four questions:
- What are some strengths about this scenario?
- What are some opportunities about this scenario?
- What are some challenges about this scenario?
- What are some questions about this scenario?
There was a lot of energy spent, a lot of conversations had and we have now collected all these answers so we can take the next steps.
We are going to be collating all the information so far into a report that we can produce for the Parish.
We are then going to survey all parishioners to help us develop further and then join back together for the third workshop where we are going to try to get a sense of ranking the options so we can explore where we go as a Parish Council. Look out for these coming out in our newssheet.
Our next meeting is the 8th September at 3pm with dinner to follow at 5.30pm.
First Building Meeting Debrief
On Sunday the 26th May we had the first conversation of three as we discuss together the action required for the brick building. It was facilitated by Denise Church, who did a great job getting us all thinking about the kinds of activities we most prioritise in this place, the activities we think will be most active in 2040 and then what types of building criteria might be helpful to facilitate those activities.
The warmth in the room was great, and the conversation was filled with so many great thoughts and contributions from many people. As part of this conversation Rev. Andrew Spence opened up the meeting by saying three things that he expects from these times together.
The next steps are for Parish Council to start a list of options available to us. Then that list and ideas we will discuss togerther at our next meeting on the 16th June at 3pm, dinner to follow at 5.00pm.
Do come join us!
The warmth in the room was great, and the conversation was filled with so many great thoughts and contributions from many people. As part of this conversation Rev. Andrew Spence opened up the meeting by saying three things that he expects from these times together.
- We will be better off as a community for these conversations. So although we may disagree, we will have had the conversation together and shared all our views so the community together is strengthened.
- This is not our church's main thing. It is a helpful and important discussion but not the main priority - Jesus and his kingdom are. We want the gospel to thrive here and so we have to prioritise that.
- We need to trust one another. Everyone coming to these conversations has a care for this place and the people here. Regardless of our opinions about the building we have to trust that we all care for this place. So when someone says something you disagree with then remind yourself its because they care.
The next steps are for Parish Council to start a list of options available to us. Then that list and ideas we will discuss togerther at our next meeting on the 16th June at 3pm, dinner to follow at 5.00pm.
Do come join us!
Updated April 2024
In early 2018, we asked engineers to inspect the building and give us a report on what we would have to do to strengthen the building to bring it up to Earthquake Strength of 67% of the building code, as the Diocese has told us we should be by 2024. Upon completing the inspection the engineers informed us that our building was only at 15% of the code.
In 2022 the council approached us looking for an assessment on the earthquake prone status of our building, we sent them the notice and subsequently we have been officially declared to have an earthquake prone building. This gives us until 4 July 2037 to rectify the instability of the building.
We are grateful for the use of our All Saints Centre, and the provision this is to us as we use it for Sunday services and all of our church events. We are in the process of getting advice and recommendations for the way forward, while praying as a community about how All Saints can continue to be a place of mission and worship.
We appreciate your prayers and support throughout this time.
In early 2018, we asked engineers to inspect the building and give us a report on what we would have to do to strengthen the building to bring it up to Earthquake Strength of 67% of the building code, as the Diocese has told us we should be by 2024. Upon completing the inspection the engineers informed us that our building was only at 15% of the code.
In 2022 the council approached us looking for an assessment on the earthquake prone status of our building, we sent them the notice and subsequently we have been officially declared to have an earthquake prone building. This gives us until 4 July 2037 to rectify the instability of the building.
We are grateful for the use of our All Saints Centre, and the provision this is to us as we use it for Sunday services and all of our church events. We are in the process of getting advice and recommendations for the way forward, while praying as a community about how All Saints can continue to be a place of mission and worship.
We appreciate your prayers and support throughout this time.
Contact90 Hamilton Road, Hataitai, Wellington, New Zealand
You can phone the office on: (04) 971 2142 General enquiries: [email protected] Enquiries about hiring the centre: [email protected] Sign up to our weekly news © 2021 Anglican-Methodist Parish of Hataitai-Kilbirnie
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