For Immediate Release 6.11.14

Majestic Church disappointed by council decision

Majestic Church leaders say they are deeply disappointed by yesterday’s Christchurch City Council decision to decline resource consent for their proposed community complex, on the corner of Kilmore and Montreal streets.

Senior minister Leo Hanssen says the church is now “looking at all of its options” in developing the new facility. “The decision has been gutting. We were proposing a multi-faceted community complex designed by one of the world’s best architects. It was in keeping with the area and would have made a valuable contribution to the city’s recovery,” he says.

The complex, designed by internationally acclaimed Melbourne architect Koos de Keijzer, included a 219-seat chapel, 718-seat theatre/auditorium, apartments, café, parking building and a series of creative spaces for artists, musicians and dancers. A laneway running south to north was one of its architectural features, along with an entry from the west that opened on to a central courtyard.

“The facilities were to be available to everyone in the community and incorporated many references to the Old Normal School that originally occupied the site. We really wanted this to be part of Christchurch’s future heritage,” Mr Hanssen says.

The Majestic Church used to meet in the former Majestic Theatre on the corner of Manchester and Lichfield streets. The theatre, which was badly damaged in the February 2011 earthquake, was acquired from the Church by the Crown, before being demolished earlier this year.

For the last three years, the church has been meeting at 85 Moorhouse Ave. From here, it also runs arts focused programmes including a dance and vocal school. It also supports the Te- Mapua Trust that works with children in East Christchurch; provides food parcels; works with youth in schools; and supports groups and gatherings for people of all ages.

ENDS

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