Tough calls ahead for owners of Wellington's earthquake-prone St Gerard's Monastery

Monday, 13 July 2020

St Gerard’s Monastery has raised just $42,000 of the $11 million it needs to earthquake-strengthen its buildings. (File photo)

Some “tough calls” might have to be made about the future of Wellington’s earthquake-prone St Gerard’s Monastery, city councillor Iona Pannett says.

The monastery and church buildings, which sit above Oriental Bay and are heritage-listed, require an $11 million upgrade to get them up to building standards.

The heritage-listed building sits above Wellington’s Oriental Bay. (File photo)

However, the monastery has so far only raised $42,000, raising questions about how the building can be saved.

Pannett, who holds the council’s heritage building resilience portfolio, said although the council would look at ways to help, the monastery may need to look at giving up some of its buildings on the site.

* Development options for Wellington's Oriental Bay Band Rotunda

City councillor Iona Pannett says the monastery may need to make some tough calls on other buildings it owns on the site. (File photo)

* Can Wellington save its heritage buildings before it's too late?

* $12m heritage funding boost could help Wellington monastery and cinema

“Obviously the parish is going to have to make some tough calls about what it does with the buildings.

Wellington's St Mary of the Angels underwent a $9.3m upgrade before reopening in 2017.

“It’s my very strong concern that we are now getting into the decade where many of the deadlines for strengthening heritage buildings will expire.

“All options have to be on the table.”

The monastery and church buildings are rated at 25 per cent of the New Building Standard (NBS), and its owners have until 2027 to get them strengthened.

Anything under 34 per cent is considered earthquake-prone.

Pannett said a special grant was one option the council had to offer some support, but ultimately the monastery may need to downsize.

The St Mary of the Angels Church reopend in 2017 following a $9.3m upgrade. (File photo)

The church itself was not at risk, she said.

“All owners of heritage buildings do have to front that question about whether it’s affordable or not.

“It’s a very painful process [relinquishing heritage buildings], but the buildings do need to be safe.”

The council was in discussions with the monastery’s owners about the future of the buildings, Pannett said.

The buildings are owned by the International Catholic Programme of Evangelisation (IPCE).

IPCE Mission New Zealand director Silvana Abela could not be reached for comment.

St Gerard’s is not the only church in Wellington that has had to contend with earthquake sttrengthening costs.

The St Mary of the Angels Catholic Church on Boulcott St reopened in 2017 after a $9.3m upgrade to fix 10 columns, nine portals and the roof.

St John’s Presbyterian Church in Willis St is also in need of a major upgrade.

The heritage-listed building, constructed in 1885, is in need of a $6.3m upgrade.

It has so far raised $3.3m through donations, grants, and a trust fund.

The city council has contributed $168,000 through its Built Heritage Incentive Fund, which used to consist of $1m a year but was cut to $500,000.

A move to increase the fund by $100,000 per year through the council’s 2020-21 Annual Plan was overturned by councillors a few weeks ago.

The Wesley Methodist Church on Taranaki St is also in need of earthquake-strengthening, with its church and two other buildings deemed to be below building standard.

Strengthening the buildings to 67 per cent NBS will cost about $4.5m, with $1m to hopefully come from fundraising.