Temuka community celebrates church re-opening
The Catholic community in Temuka and the wider area gathered on 8 December 2024 (The Feast of the Immaculate Conception) to celebrate the long-awaited re-opening of St Joseph’s Church, Temuka. The church’s spire was damaged in the September 2010 Canterbury earthquakes and some years later, a risk assessment resulted in the non-compliant areas of the church — including the organ, confessional, and front doors — being closed off for more than a decade. The church has since undergone significant strengthening and other upgrades, with iconic features like the spire, the clock, and the stained-glass windows among the highlights of the re-opened church. The stained glass windows had been removed and cleaned. The windows, which were made in France, cost $300,000 each, and have been laminated on the outside to protect them from the elements.
The interior of the church has also undergone a major transformation, with the plastering and painting of cracks from the earthquake, and attention to general wear and tear. The sacristy has been completely redesigned and re-configured, with a new toilet added. The church has been re-roofed, a new confessional built, and new heating and sound systems installed. The major cost was in strengthening, with the internal steel framework now connected to massive bolts in the ground.
Parishioners have undertaken a variety of jobs, including the restoration of over 30 pews, and the cleaning of all the lamp shades. Two parishioners restored the bells and clock. Retired mechanic Robin Galbraith had looked after the clock for 50 years. With the able assistance of Michael Healy, he removed the bells and built new cradles.
Organist Cathy Blogg said playing the organ for the first time since it had been “mothballed” in 2012, had “definitely brought a tear to my eye.” Despite it not being tuned, the organ sounded exactly as she remembered. “It took my breath away.”
Bishop Gielen celebrated the Mass and was joined at the altar by both the current clergy and priests who have formerly served in the parish. With the church reopening on the same weekend as Notre-Dame in Paris, he explained the importance of beautiful houses of worship in supporting a life of prayer and mission.
The following are key statements taken from Bishop Gielen’s homily:
“There are two communities gathering with joy today, one in the Southern hemisphere and one in the Northern hemisphere. They both have a rich history that they celebrate. They both have important dignitaries attending. But most importantly, they both have a church they can be proud of. And not just any church, but a church that is recognised for its beauty and significance.”
“What sets those two churches apart and unites them, is their spire. The spire that reaches out, above the skyline, into the heavens. The spire that fights against the ravages of gravity and pushes above, into heaven. The true reason a spire is built is that it represents our faith.”
“This church is not a monument, or a museum, or an historic artifact; it is a living and breathing house of God.”
“I’ve had the privilege of celebrating Mass in both Notre-Dame Cathedral and in St Joseph’s “Cathedral,” shall I say, today. (I must admit, seeing this church, I do wish we could transport it to Christchurch, and save us a lot of money and time.)”
“In 2015, I cycled with eight young men throughout New Zealand. I arrived outside this church on a quiet November day, and I was amazed by what I saw. Why is this magnificent church built here? Why have I not heard of this church, it is magnificent.
This church took my breath away. What love and sacrifice were made for God in this place. And my breath was taken away again today, as I saw again the effort and love and sacrifice.”
“May you grow in faith, the faith that this spire represents, so that we can pass onto the next generation, for hundreds of years to follow, that same God, who has given us life, and life to the full, amen.”
The Christchurch Diocese is proud of and grateful for all the work and support leading to the restoration and re-opening of our historic St Joseph’s Church. “The new spire looks stunning and the exterior stonework looks like new.” recently wrote Heritage New Zealand Conservation Advisor, Mike Gillies. “I couldn’t believe the difference with the windows and the interior of the building. The windows seemed to be glowing. It’s hard to believe that they are over 130 years old! It is a magnificent and significant contribution to conserving South Canterbury’s built heritage.”
Editor’s note:
For myself, I know when I first entered St Joseph’s, Temuka, in March 2010, I was struck by the sense of it being a well prayed-in space. I could sense the gentle light through the windows and hear the soft reverberation of the acoustic and the feeling of space and height. I recently played the organ there and immediately was aware of those who faithfully played it since its installation in the 1880s. Through the gentle decay of our sound, this church was re-assuring me that our prayer and praise would be heard in heaven. I encourage you all to visit, to attend Mass there, to take some quiet time there in the stillness of this church and be deeply touched by the presence of God.
