Quake-hit cathedral latest to join ever-expanding Christchurch demolition list
The quake-crippled Christ Church Cathedral will be demolished, church officials announced today.
The embattled city’s most celebrated landmark building will be “deconstructed” to a “safe” level of 2-3 metres and will not be rebuilt. The news was met with dismay in Christchurch.
The cathedral has been extensively damaged in the earthquakes over the last 18 months, with its spire snapping in half during the fatal 6.3-magnitude quake of February 22, 2011.
Ongoing shakes have caused further damage to the building.
Bishop Victoria Matthews of the Anglican Diocese of Christchurch said: “The cathedral will be deconstructed with the utmost care and respect while at the same time protecting the treasures within its walls – there will be no bulldozers or wrecking balls on the job.”
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