After 13 years, the entirety of St Joseph’s Catholic Church in Temuka is now open for worship.
The church’s steeple was damaged in the September 2010 Canterbury earthquake, and some years later, a risk assessment resulted in the non-compliant areas of the church — including the organ, confessional and front doors — being closed off for more than a decade.
Opihi Parish property manager David Attwood said the church had been repaired "to the nth degree".
With a wedding lined up, he said "we were under orders to get it finished in time".
While obvious changes had taken place on the outside of the church — such as the return of the spire — the inside had also undergone a major transformation.
Along with plastering and painting cracks from the earthquake and general wear and tear over the years, the stained glass windows had been removed and cleaned.
The windows — which were made in France — cost $300,000 each, and had been laminated on the outside to protect them from the elements.
The sacristy had been completely redesigned and reconfigured, with a new toilet added.
The church had been reroofed, a new confessional built and new heating and sound systems had been installed.
Mr Attwood said the major cost was in strengthening — internal steel framework now connected to massive bolts in the ground.
The project would not have been as successful without the team at David Fridd Building and architect Desmond Prisk.
"They really took ownership of the project."
Project foreman Jayden Gerbich was "unreal".
"Everybody has bought into it.
"It was done with pride and passion."
Parishioner input had been significant, Mr Attwood said.
Parishioners had undertaken a variety of jobs, including the restoration of over 30 pews and cleaning all the lamp shades.
Two parishioners in particular had taken it upon themselves to restore the bells and clock.
Retired mechanic Robin Galbraith had looked after the clock for 50 years, and with second-in-command Michael Healy, the pair had removed the bells and built new cradles.
Mr Attwood said the project was also "wonderfully" supported by the diocese.
There had also been an active fundraising programme.
"It was a significant cost."
Organist Cathy Blogg said playing the organ for the first time since it had been "mothballed" in 2012 had "definitely brought a tear to my eye".
Despite it not being tuned, the organ sounded exactly as she remembered.
"It took my breath away."
It was the ninth year Father Jolly had been at the church, but this Sunday would mark his first Mass where the church was fully accessible and the organ would be in use.
Mr Attwood said anyone was welcome to attend the Mass, however it would be standing room only, as they had a significant number of guests.
The church would be open from the following day for people to look around.
Mrs Blogg said "it has been a labour of love".
