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Audio, Radio New Zealand

An architect and art historian is setting up an action group to oppose the demolition of one of the most well-known churches in Christchurch, the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament. The church, registered as a Category 1 building with Heritage New Zealand, was damaged in the 2011 earthquakes and has sat in a state of disrepair ever since. Dr Anna Crighton is from Historic Places Aotearoa. She talks to Susie Ferguson.

Research papers, The University of Auckland Library

As a result of the 4 September 2010 Darfield earthquake and the more damaging 22 February 2011 Christchurch earthquake, considerable damage occurred to a significant number of buildings in Christchurch. The damage that occurred to the Christchurch Roman Catholic Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament (commonly known as the Christchurch Basilica) as a result of the Canterbury earthquakes is reported, and the observed failure modes are identified. A previous strengthening intervention is outlined and the estimated capacity of the building is discussed. This strengthening was completed in 2004, and addressed the worst aspects of the building's seismic vulnerability. Urgent work was undertaken post-earthquake to secure parts of the building in order to limit damage and prevent collapse of unstable parts of the building. The approach taken for this securing is outlined, and the performance of the building and the previously installed earthquake strengthening intervention is evaluated.A key consideration throughout the project was the interaction between the structural securing requirements that were driven by the requirement to limit damage and mitigate hazards, and the heritage considerations. Lessons learnt from the strengthening that was carried out, the securing work undertaken, and the approach taken in making the building "safe" are discussed. Some conclusions are drawn with respect to the effectiveness of strengthening similar building types, and the approach taken to secure the building under active seismic conditions. AM - Accepted Manuscript

Images, eqnz.chch.2010

The Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament, Christcurch, after the 6.3 magnitude quake on 22 February 2011. When The Angels Fall Take your father's cross Gently from the wall A shadow still remaining See the churches fall In mighty arcs of sound And all that they're containing Yet all the rugged souls Looking for their lost homes Shuffle to...

Images, UC QuakeStudies

Damage to the front of the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament. Large cracks are visible in the stonework, and one side is supported by shipping containers and hay bales. The photographer comments, "The Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament has a lot of cracking on the exterior and one column appears to be leaning to the right. To my non-expert eye it does look like the front could easily give way. Notice the broken supporting beam".

Images, UC QuakeStudies

The Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament after the dome was removed. Large cracks are visible in the walls and in the dome's supporting structure, and the facade is supported by haybales and shipping containers. The photographer comments, "The main dome of the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament became unsafe after the February Christchurch earthquake - workmen have slowly been dismantling it. Now we are just left with the cracked and twisted walls that supported the beautiful dome".