Situation Updates
The latest updates related to the recent earthquake may be viewed here
SITUATION UPDATES
LATEST POST - 11.42am Monday October 11
SCAFFOLDING NOW REMOVED
Scaffolding erected to allow closer inspection in the Cathedral Nave has now been removed, after a positive report from engineers and the completion of cosmetic 'pointing' was completed. All areas are now open to the public.
POST - 1.50pm Tuesday September 21
CATHEDRAL RE-OPENS TO THE PUBLIC
The Cathedral has been assessed as safe by engineers and re-opened to the public 9.00am Wednesday September 22nd.
POST - 4.37 pm Tuesday September 14
Scaffold currently being erected in the Cathedral Nave following the recent 7.1 earthquake, to allow closer inspection of the central Gothic Arch.
POST - 4.37 pm Tuesday September 14
SUNDAY SERVICES SEP 19
Sunday services Sep 19, will definitely take place at Christ's College Chapel (10am and 5.30pm)
POST - 9.21am Monday September 13
SUNDAY SERVICES SEP 19
We anticipate that Sunday services Sep 19, will be at Christ's College Chapel (10am and 5.30pm) Please keep an eye on this website for updates.
POST - 6.00pm Thursday September 9
ChristChurch Cathedral 'on hold' during aftershocks
Re-opening of ChristChurch Cathedral has been delayed until the risk of aftershocks eases. Engineers examined the stonework again today and have confirmed the building is in very good condition.The engineer’s report goes on to say “With ongoing aftershocks there’s still the risk of falling debris through fretting of stone. This is not an indication of severe structural risk, but does represent a hazard to the public.” The Cathedral will still offer Choral Eucharist this Sunday at 10am – but outside in Cathedral Square. The full Cathedral Choir will lead the music and seating will be provided. Everybody will be welcome, irrespective of religious denomination. Umbrellas are advisable in case of showers. From Saturday, the Cathedral Visitors’ Centre will be reorganised into an open space, where people may come for coffee, chat, and prayers on the hour. Dean Peter Beck says “It will take more than an earthquake to bring Christchurch down. Here at the Cathedral we will have priests on duty from 9.30am to 5pm each day. Our board room has been converted into a simple chapel and we will continue with our regular daily communion service there on weekdays at 12.05. We are still working on arrangements for our regular Sunday services and the special services planned for the next few weeks.” When the aftershocks subside, engineers will make another detailed examination. “The Cathedral ... has no significant damage or deterioration,” the engineers say in their latest report. “We expect the people of Christchurch to enjoy full use of the Cathedral again in the future.”
POST - 5.35pm Tuesday September 7
NO STRUCTURAL CONCERNS FOR CHRISTCHURCH CATHEDRAL
Engineers who have re-visited Christ Church Cathedral late this afternoon say the building has “performed exceptionally well” during the aftershocks since the weekend’s earthquake. Dean of Christchurch, Very Rev Peter Beck, called the engineers back this afternoon as a precaution, although the Cathedral received a ‘green slip’ on Saturday. The Dean says staff were able to return to the Cathedral today after the curfew was eased and some noticed minor cracks, so he called the engineers back. “The engineers took a close look at the Cathedral again, especially conscious the media and others are taking a close interest in it,” he says. “I am pleased to be able to confirm are no structural concerns for the Cathedral. “The engineers’ report says the Cathedral has ‘performed exceptionally well and the seismic strengthening has apparently been effective.’
“They say it is inevitable mortar joints will flex and some minor cracks will appear, so as aftershocks decrease they will come back for further inspections and we will have some minor repairs done later.” Dean Peter Beck says the tower remains closed and the bells won’t be rung as a precaution and at the engineers’ suggestion. As soon as the Cathedral is able to re-open to the public, regular services will resume and individuals will be able to talk to priests on duty, light a candle and take part in the regular ‘prayers on the hour’. Tea and coffee will also be available.
POST: - 3.30pm Tuesday September 7 - Christchurch residents are being asked not to read too much into reports of engineers re-visiting ChristChurch Cathedral this afternoon. Dean Peter Beck says today’s inspection is purely precautionary. He says the Cathedral was inspected by engineers on Saturday after the initial earthquake and received a ‘green slip’. What appear to be minor cracks, visible in the Cathedral when staff returned today to it following easing of the curfew, are being checked again this afternoon as a precaution. “We really don’t know if anything has changed since Saturday,” says the Dean,” but we thought it wise to have the Cathedral checked again in the wake of the aftershocks. We are following the same processes hundreds of other city buildings are following.”
POST: - 4.15pm Monday September 6 - Inspection of the Cathedral has been completed and it has received a 'GREEN' rating. This will enable the building to open once the Cathedral precinct is deemed safe for the public. There is no indication as yet, when that will be. Once word has been received, a post will be placed on this site.
POST:- 9.15pm Sunday September 5 - The Cathedral will be closed Monday September 6th (includes all staff and volunteers) until at least 5.00pm
CHRISTCHURCH CATHEDRAL SURVIVES CATASTROPHIC QUAKE
News spread quickly around the world following a catastrophic earthquake centred just 40km from the city of Christchurch. Though the city centre was particularly hard hit, the Cathedral itself appears to have come through relatively well. Some decorative stonework has been damaged in the Cathedral's interior and the tower has suffered 'some movement' according to Dean Peter Beck. "We've had the engineers through. We don't think it's serious but there will be no bells ringing and the tower will stay closed until the whole thing is completely and properly inspected."
SUPPORT APPRECIATED
"Messages of support have been received from throughout New Zealand and overseas. The prayers and thoughts of so many are greatly appreciated as we seek to deal with the challenges of responding to this natural disaster and move into a period of recovery. We are so thankful to God that though damage to infrastructure has been immense, there was no loss of life. Please continue to remember those in the region who are coping with great hardship".
