On 5 December 2020, Fire and Emergency services were called out to a massive blaze at the St Stephen's Presbyterian Church in Herne Bay.
While it's been confirmed as a case of deliberate arson, the investigation is still ongoing. Despite CCTV footage of someone in the area at the time of the fire, police have no suspects.
Church leader Reverend Grant Ridout described a male in their 40s who seemed to be in an area where they had no business. He felt the attack was quite brazen, as it happened while a children's birthday party was going on nearby, in the middle of a Saturday afternoon.
Forensics showed that the fire had started in an air vent underneath the floor, underneath a hollow corner that acted like a chimney. This helped funnel the fire up into the roof, where it really took off.
While thankfully no one was hurt, 'Steve the Organ,' the church's 112-year-old pipe organ, was damaged in the fire. It had recently undergone a restoration and had been given heritage one status. Unfortunately, Steve suffered water and heat damage which warped some of its pipes.
"Some of the organ's pipes are quite delicate, and even slight fluctuations in the weather or temperature can change how they respond, so a fire can really affect them." Estimates put repairing Steve at $250,000, but the Reverend hoped that eventually, St Stephen's would be able to restore him to his original working state.
Despite the tragedy, perhaps the best part of what's come out of this mess has been how the wider Herne Bay and Ponsonby area have come together in support of St Stephen's. Rev. Ridout explained that despite what's happened, it's made them closer.
"Not that fires a good thing, but good things have come of it. There's a greater sense of unity and purpose; our congregation have been brilliant. We've had so much support from the wider community that we've raised almost $150,000 without even trying, thanks to them."
As for when St Stephen's will be back up and running, I was told that while there was still a lot of work and fundraising to do before that could happen, they hoped that they could reopen by Christmas of 2023. (KERRY LEE)
Donations are greatly appreciated, and anyone interested can find their restoration account number on St Stephen's website, at www.ststephensponsonby.org.nz
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