Anna Miles and Michael Simpson have used that in abundance as they restore the Kakanui Church to its former glory.
The Waimate couple bought the 150-year-old church in 2019, immediately bird-proofed it, and then took time learning and creating a "plan of attack" for the church in the seaside town.
Mr Simpson said he knew the building’s condition deterred some people but as a former builder, he had dealt with worse.
"It didn’t scare us off at all. We could see what needed to happen, but it’s been really good to have that time just to work really steady and just do it really, really well because we don’t want to lose the character of the building either," Mr Simpson said.
"We don’t want to sweep in and just change a whole heap of things — we want to preserve it."
The couple started on the Sunday School, and were "lucky enough" to take the windows home to Waimate to restore during last year’s lockdown and winter.
The entire building’s subflooring had been completed this year and the big windows were being fixed, too.
"We absolutely love it. We love the chance to be down here but we love the work we do, it’s very rewarding."
Bringing life back into the building was important and whenever they worked on the church, the doors were open to everyone. It meant they spent countless hours learning about its history from residents popping in, and showing them the restorations.
But they relished having the community’s support.
"We’ve had such lovely feedback. It’s such a great community here — we’re lucky to be a part of it."
Yesterday, the couple hosted their first Christmas market at the church, allowing more people to learn about the church and "come into the building they’re interested in whereas they might not otherwise".
They also raved about the response they received from October’s Waitaki Meet the Maker.
"To have the energy in the building and the life in the buildings — it’s really fun. The more it’s used ... the better its life is."
Ms Miles said the church held its first wedding earlier this month, exceeding all expectations.
"To get that love and warmth back in the building was so special," Ms Miles said.
During the day the couple ran Peer Tree Farm, involved in horse breeding services, and said being able to spend time by the Kakanui coastline and help the church was amazing.
"We just thought it was something we could do, so we should do," Ms Miles said.
They applied to Heritage New Zealand to have the church listed as a historic place and were in no rush to finish restoring it.
"It’s a process of pleasure which is what’s made it very much not a grand plan," Mr Simpson said.
