Repairs on track for completion by winter

Another five levels of scaffolding are expected to be removed from the First Church spire in Dunedin this weekend, as repair work nears completion.

Dooley's Masonry foreman Sam Dooley said work began on the 56.4m spire last year after significant damage and deterioration were discovered.

"Some of the stone has weathered to a point where you can put your hand on it and it just crumbles. It just needs to be cut out and replaced."

He said work at the top of the spire had been completed and scaffolding at the highest point had been removed.

A major part of the continuing work was centred on the two pillars at the front entrance to the church.

They had to be deconstructed because the iron rod running down the middle of each had rusted.

He said the rust had caused the metal to expand, which had destabilised the limestone.

"So we had to drop them down to where the engineer was happy, and get rid of any of the old rod.

"Any stone that we can reuse, we will reuse, but there are some stones that are at a point where we have to put new stone in, and a stainless steel rod so it doesn't rust."

Many residents might not know mirrors are embedded in some of the decorative crosses near the top of the spire. These had also deteriorated and needed replacing.

The mirrors are to make the spire sparkle.

Mr Dooley said another five levels of scaffolding would be removed this weekend, depending on the weather, and it was hoped the repair work would be completed before winter set in.

"It's getting quite blustery and cold some mornings and during the day up there.

"I'm hoping to be finished in the next couple of months - we should have most of it completed and then it will just be a little bit of tidying up."

First Presbyterian Church of Otago treasurer Les Green said fundraising for the project was going very well.

"We're pleased to say we're now over the $400,000 mark.

"We've had two very good grants from charitable trusts - the AAW Jones Charitable Trust has given us $30,000 and the Alexander McMillan Trust gave us $50,000, plus there's been smaller amounts that have been coming in from other grants."

He said a further $200,000 was needed to pay for the repairs, but he was confident the money could be raised.

"We've got some other irons in the fire and so we're hoping we can get there."

Mr Green was delighted with the public's support. He believed it was a clear indication that the community saw the church as an "iconic" Dunedin building that was worth preserving.