The public has until 5pm today to have its say on the proposed registration of the 119-year-old Tokomairiro Presbyterian Church.
The New Zealand Historic Places Trust wants to place a category II classification on the church after it was discovered a registration process in the 1990s was incomplete and did not formally protect the building designed by leading 19th century architect Arthur (R. A) Lawson, who was responsible for many of Dunedin's notable buildings.
The trust's Otago-Southland area manager, Owen Graham, yesterday said the original registration process several years ago did not "stack up" because some details were not included in the paperwork.
This new process was designed to formally protect and recognise the church as a significant heritage building.
Earlier this year, the church owners, the Tokomairiro Co-operating Parish council, raised fears the building might have to be closed, or perhaps even knocked down, as rising costs and falling congregation numbers threatened its future.
The Otago-Southland Presbyterian synod, which administers parishes in the south, asked the trust for a two-week extension in the submission process.
The trust agreed, meaning the synod and Toko parish have until today to formally express their views on the matter.
Their submissions had not yet been received, Mr Graham said.
The trust would then assess all submissions and make a recommendation to the New Zealand Historic Places Trust Board.
He expected a decision would not be made until closer to the end of the year. The decision would be publicly notified.
The Clutha District Council, in its submission supporting a formal registration, said said the building clearly had historic and cultural value.
"It is an iconic building for Milton and the district, has significant architectural value, and is an important part of the community's history."
The council said it recognised there were significant costs to maintain the building and it had "considerable sympathy" for the congregation.
"While registration will inevitably restrict options for the future of the building, we hope that it will also improve the chances of sourcing outside fund-raising."
