Many arguing over this church

Press, 8 July 1976, Page 25

Many arguing over this church

This old wooden church has become the source of a great deal of controversy in Renwick.

The church, nearly 100 years old, is Renwick’s old Presbyterian church, which was condemned by

church officials early this year. Rather than see the old building torn down, an

unofficial restoration group has started work on the preservation of the church, without official approval. The group, headed by a local historian, Mr Herbert Watson, believes the church is basically in a safe condition, with its main beams and supports of heart matai still sound. Mr Watson says the main thing wrong with the building is the outer timber and some flooring which has rotted, and which the restoration group is in the process of replacing. Although a great deal of restoration work has al-

ready been done on the church, Presbyterian officials are still determined to have it demolished. Mr Watson says there has been a series of meetings between the church and the group, but the future of the building is still in doubt. Meanwhile, the restoration work goes on. The picture shows the controversial church in the foreground. In the background to the left, is the first Presbyterian church in Renwick which was built in 1859.