Taranaki's St Andrew's Church set for $4.2m restoration

A Taranaki church built to remember the men from Inglewood who died during the First World War is set for a $4.2 million restoration project.In the 1920s when the people of the area wanted to create a memorial for the 138 local men killed during the conflict, they built a church and enshrined their names on a marble tablet on the wall.More than a century on, the community is banding together again to preserve St Andrew's Church.The Anglican church, which was completed in 1923, is a Schedule 1 protected building in New Plymouth District Council (NPDC)'s Part Operative District Plan and needs a new roof and earthquake-strengthening to see it through another century.The Taranaki Anglican Trust Board (TATB) is set to start the $4.2m project with funding from residents and other donors, including $100,000 from the NPDC's Built Heritage Protection Fund.St Andrew's Property and Admin Committee chair, Graeme Sykes, said the church was still seeking about $1m for the work, and pledges could be made at standrewsinglewood.org.nz."This is an important piece of our town's history, both as a memorial and as a distinctive architectural landmark. The parishioners at the time contributed to the construction of this church as a lasting memorial to those who gave their lives in the war, and now it's fallen to us to carry on this work and preserve it as a reminder of the tragic cost of war," said Sykes."We're very grateful to all the donors, including NPDC and the Lottery Environment and Heritage Fund, which has given $300,000. NPDC's a significant commitment and shows our district is serious about preserving our history."The Built Heritage Protection Fund helps private property owners look after and preserve heritage buildings by funding work such as earthquake strengthening, repair or replacement of verandas or roofs, repiling, exterior cleaning and painting or specialist work like stonework."Heritage buildings are an important part of our historic legacy and they're part of the identity of our communities. By funding their preservation, we also support local jobs and businesses who do the work, helping to keep our district thriving and resilient and a place where people want to live, work and raise their families," said NPDC planning supervisor Lauren O'Byrne."As well as being symbolically significant, St Andrew's was exceptionally well designed and constructed with high-quality building materials and a number of distinctive features such as its bell tower, and the round arch windows and mouldings. The Italian marble war memorial dedication stone adds to its value for present and future generations."Building owners could apply for funding from the Built Heritage Protection Fund until 21 August.At a glanceIn the past five years, grants over $20,000 have been given to these buildings:White Hart Hotel, New Plymouth, $25,000St Aubyn Chambers, New Plymouth, $50,000ANZ Bank, New Plymouth, $25,000King's Building, New Plymouth $25,000St Mary's Vicarage, Urenui, $75,000Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Inglewood, $25,000Devonport Apartments, New Plymouth, $30,000Fern Lodge, Inglewood. $30,000Taranaki Cathedral of St Mary, New Plymouth, $150,000Railway Hotel, Inglewood, $40,000.