Upgrading plans after fire at hall
A Levin church group reeling from the destruction of their hall in a suspicious fire, are hopeful something better will rise from its ashes.
The Levin Life Church children’s hall, on Bledisloe St, was gutted early last Saturday morning – although the church itself remained standing.
Pastor Paul White said five decades of memories and resources were destroyed with the hall. Many found their faith at events in the hall, grew up attending Sunday School or even got married there.
‘‘This loss is quite a blow . . . but we’re looking forward with hope for what can be rebuilt.’’
The hall, constructed in the 1960s, was used for youth gatherings, a children’s ministry and by other groups – including the Levin St John cadets and a morning childcare group.
White said a new gathering place would hopefully be found before the end of the school holidays, but much equipment was lost in the fire, and in the case of the children’s group, all of it. ‘‘So, all the curriculum and lesson plans, all their toys. All of it is gone.’’
Upgrading the hall and linking it to the main church has been a decades-old dream for the parish, but one that has never come to fruition for various reasons.
‘‘So this is an opportunity to create a purpose-built hall for the groups that use it, something that will fit our church’s needs going into the future.’’
White said it was also a chance to celebrate the kindness and generosity of people, with offers of support coming in from across New Zealand and from as far away as the UK.
Between that support and contributions from the congregation the lost equipment could be replaced, he said. ‘‘And insurance will cover rebuilding the hall, but we’ll potentially [fundraise] for further work. We’re just waiting to see what everybody wants for it.’’
Manawatu¯ Senior Sergeant Phil Ward said the church hall was the fourth in a string of potential arsons around Levin over the past three months – which started with minor rubbish bin fires.
‘‘Although . . . there is nothing to suggest that these fires are linked or there is only one person responsible.’’
Anyone with information on the fires can call Levin police on 06 366 0500, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.