26 | Heritage buildings saved from demolition Designed by pre-eminent 19th century architect Benjamin Mountfort, the 1875 Trinity Church is a precious heritage building with a rich history. Photos: William Fulton Christchurch Heritage Charitable Trust T T Kim Newth REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT We are a team of Certified and Licensed builders in Christchurch who work with a customer focus and an emphasis on excellence. We specialise in Renovations and new bespoke home builds but no challenge is too big or small for us. Proudly Supporting Christchurch Heritage Charitable Trust sales@phoenixbuilt.co.nz 021 215 0047 www.phoenixbuilt.co.nz Ryan 021 146 1779 | scaf@redandblackscaffolding.co.nz www.redandblackscaffolding.co.nz We specialise in supplying & erecting scaffolding in the Christchurch & wider Canterbury area COMPETITIVE PRICING • NO JOB TOO BIG OR SMALL Dame Anna Crighton, chair of the Christchurch Heritage Trust, couldn’t be prouder to have helped steer the restoration and revival of the former Trinity Church and Shand’s Emporium through to completion. The unique pair of heritage buildings faced probable demolition after the February 2011 earthquakes. Instead, thanks to the trust’s intervention, both were saved and are now playing a vibrant role in the central city’s hospitality scene. Inkster Company founder Nick Inkster holds the lease on the two iconic venues, operating today as Paddy McNaughton’s Irish Pub and The Church live music bar and restaurant. It has been a long journey for the trust, which purchased the badly earthquake-damaged Trinity Church in 2013 with an ambitious vision to repair, strengthen and restore it. Designed by pre-eminent 19th century architect Benjamin Mountfort, the 1875 former church is a precious heritage building with a rich history. Shand’s Emporium, an 1860 commercial building originally sited on Hereford Street, was subsequently acquired by the trust from developer Antony Gough, who graciously sold it for $1, thereby securing its future. Shands was moved to its current site next to the Trinity Church in 2015 for repair and restoration and was formally opened in 2017. The Church opened last July, with final touches completed on the building following the grant of additional loan funding from the Christchurch City Council last September. Both are Category 1 heritage-listed buildings, with Shands being the oldest timber building in the CBD and the Trinity Church being the oldest stone church there. “The former Trinity Church faced a dire fate in the wake of the 2011 earthquake,” recalls Anna. “By 2013, Trinity’s survival hung by a thread…Richard Lloyd together with Phillip Barrett from the Christchurch City Council “It required a ten-year commitment from a dedicated and passionate team to get the restoration over the line.” were pivotal figures in negotiations to purchase and rescue it from certain destruction. Richard took on the role of project manager for the first phase of earthquake strengthening the walls [while] the second phase was undertaken by Maiden Built who oversaw the completion of the work.” Delays, lack of funding and unkind weather conditions beset the project and added to the challenges. “It was a nightmare, shared with Eamonn Stockman as project manager. But we got there.” Along with a recent council grant and loan totaling $1.2 million, the Trinity restoration received funding support from Lotteries NZ Heritage and the Canterbury Earthquake Heritage Building Fund. “Last November, we had the party to thank everyone for their input and, when I came to the end of my speech, I was quite teary. It took me awhile to get out the fact that I feel so proud that we have saved these two buildings.” Nick Inkster’s “remarkable vision” has shaped The Church’s quirky, captivating interior design. Various recycled items have been worked into the fit-out. Alter rails have been retained as part of the bar, with the old choir loft used as the mezzanine. An original highlight in The Church is undoubtedly the magnificent double-vaulted timber ceiling. Dame Anna extends her thanks to the trust’s directors for their integral role in Trinity’s rescue, as well as John Filsell from the Council for shepherding through grant and loan applications. “It required a ten-year commitment from a dedicated and passionate team to get the restoration over the line.”
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