Invercargill's First Presbyterian Church celebrates quake rating

Invercargills hundred year old First Presbyterian Church has been given an 80%+ earthquake rating - and is celebrating by offering free public tours of the building on Saturday 14 February.

First Church has been an iconic Invercargill building for 100 years, and based on a report from consulting engineers is likely to remain so for another 100 years. Hadley & Robinson Limited, Dunedin based consulting engineers, have assessed the building and their analysis concludes that "it can be reported with high confidence that the building rates at better than 80% NBS" and therefore it is not earthquake prone.

Hadley and Robinson reviewed the drawings of the original construction, completed a visual survey of the building and discussed the construction with workmen who had been involved in recent repairs to brickwork. They concluded that the massive brick walls were capable of resisting significant earthquake motions.

"It is wonderful news that First Church rates better than 80% NBS" said William Watt, Chair of the First Church Heritage Buildings Charitable Trust. "In February 2015 we will be celebrating the buildings 100th birthday and we can do so knowing that the building is safe to use for church activities and to hire out for other events."

"In 2009 a Conservation Plan was developed by well-known Invercargill architect, Allan Mollison who developed a plan for the restoration of the building. The stained -glass windows have been restored along with significant restoration of the exterior brickwork and roof. After the Christchurch earthquakes we felt it was important to know the strength of the building and whether any strengthening was required before we continued with the restoration of the building" Mr Watt said.

First Church is a major Invercargill landmark which was opened in 1915 and is of an Italian Romanesque design. Over one million bricks were used in the construction of the church which has a height of 15 metres. The Campanile bell tower has a height of 32 metres, with the walls at its base being one metre thick. Arthur Sefton, bricklayer, was regarded as one of the finest tradesmen in the country when the building was constructed with its complex arches and patterns.

"We owe a debt of gratitude to the original builders and to the generations of people who have maintained and cared for the building over the last 100 years. Tours of the building will be held on Saturday 14 February from 10am for people wanting to view the building and its construction. Tours will commence from the Tay Street entrance of the Church" William Watt said "This truly is a wonderful building and we would be delighted to show it to the community."

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Invercargill's First Presbyterian Church celebrates quake rating