He attended a funeral a week before it was permanently closed due to earthquake damage in 2011. His daughter was also married at the church. Parishioners have been worshipping in the congregation’s Kerry Hall with plans for a new church to be built on the site and part of the tennis court next to it.
Esther Ashby-Coventry/Stuff
Workers prepare the ground for more heavy machinery on Wednesday for the demolition of St Mary s Church in Pleasant Point. The Historic Place Category 2 heritage building, opened in 1889 and the original church building cost £750. The tower, clock and church bells were added later.
Father Graeme Blackburn had been drinking before he died from a blunt force head injury when his motorbike collided head-on with another vehicle and his helmet came off.