St. Michael’s Church, located along the Waimea West straight, is renowned for its quaint appearance and charming bell tower.
Constructed in November 1866 to accommodate a growing population that had outgrown a shed used as their place of worship since December 1842, the church has undergone regular maintenance over its 157-year history.
Currently, issues such as a leaking bell tower and bird nesting require immediate attention.
“Water has been dripping down the timber inside causing some timber to rot, and birds nesting in the tower have created problems with dirt and nesting material tracking water into the tower,” explains St. Michael’s Church administrator Susie Schruer.
“We are grateful for the generous donation from a longtime church supporter, whose family legacy continues to benefit our ongoing repairs.”
The repairs are estimated to take four to six weeks. St. Michael’s vicar Paul Milson says that repairing the bell tower is vital, not just for preserving the church’s historical integrity but also for ensuring the safety of its congregation and visitors.
