A Middlemarch church is going from strength to strength.
St John's Presbyterian Church parishioner Sam Dunn, of Middlemarch, said the Sunday school on the back of the church had a section of its corrugated iron roof damaged in a storm late last year.
The repair work to the insured church had strengthened the structure of the church, as the school was braced to the church and this improved the strength of both buildings.
The work also included meeting Dunedin City Council requirements, such as wheelchair access and a door opening a different way to make exiting easier in the event of a fire.
The work had made the church ''70% compliant'' with earthquake-strengthening standards and the parish had years to complete any other work deemed necessary, he said.
''It looks like we'll be right for a while ... there is no pressure to do anything else structurally.''
The cost of the repair work had come in ''a lot cheaper'' than the initial earthquake-strengthening quote of $200,000.
Maungatua Presbyterian Parish, which owned the church, announced at a recent meeting its church in Henley would close.
Mr Dunn said he did not expect the same fate for his church, as parishioners and residents in the district were ''motivated'' to keep it open.
The number of parishioners had increased, with six to eight adults and their children.
The parish was holding events designed to increase attendance, including a successful performance by NZ Idol contestant Jesse O'Brien last Christmas.
''The church was basically full - about 100 people.''
Mr O'Brien was booked to perform again at the church this Christmas.
St Chad's Anglican Church parishioner Kate Wilson, of Middlemarch, said the parish's wood and roughcast church in Middlemarch passed the earthquake-strengthening test.
The church had five regular parishioners and did not hold a regular church service, opening mostly for special occasions such as weddings and funerals.
"We get in touch with a minister when needed.''
The church would endure because it had limited re-use because it had no access to a water supply, she said.
The power was switched off.
St Paul's Catholic Church parishioner Grattan O'Connell, of Middlemarch, said the wood and roughcast church passed the earthquake-strengthening test.
The church had eight parishioners, three services a month, and the power remained on.
He could not foresee the church closing but feared it could be an economic reality, he said.
''I'd be disappointed to lose it but you've got to be sensible - there's no point running a thing at a loss.''
Strath Taieri Community Board chairman, and St John's Presbyterian Church parishioner, Barry Williams, of Middlemarch, said he wanted the three churches to remain open in the community as churches.
''They've been there for a long, long time and I wouldn't be game to say pull this one down, or leave that one up. Would you?''
