Church designs for people

Plans to build a new front entrance to All Saints Church are on pause awaiting public feedback on less flamboyant designs than a plan that drew substantial criticism 18 months ago.

The Palmerston North parish hopes to raise $5 million to $7m to strengthen the earthquake-prone brick church and add a new sheltered front porch and cafe-style gathering space.

The new plans leave the tower standing unencumbered as a historic landmark.

The baptistery would go, its arches remaining as a new entrance from a glazed and covered front porch.

Heritage consultant John Brown told a public meeting of 30 on Tuesday night that the 104-year-old church helped give Palmerston North a sense of place and identity.

But it was a challenge for church communities to maintain and care for heritage buildings.

‘‘It’s the people that make places matter,’’ he said.

Vicar Nigel Dixon said the people of the parish, and of Palmerston North, loved the building.

But while it was a building that was easy to find, it was not easy to get in.

‘‘A lot of people feel a profound detachment, and they don’t come in. This building has to work for people in a way it never has.’’

The revamped interior of the building would retain its form and shape, but would have flexible seating that could work for a range of events, not just church.

Parish priest John Hornblow said there was no plan B that would enable strengthening without improvements.

Church building advisory board chairman Vince Neall said there was a pause on plans to allow time for feedback.