A New Plymouth architect who specialises in heritage and conservation work has been appointed to guide the next stage of restoration work on the Taranaki Cathedral.

Jenny Goddard, who is an architect with more than 30 years’ experience, has been appointed Cathedral Remediation and Design Manager. She will co-ordinate the strengthening work and assess what other improvements can be carried out while that remediation work is happening.

Her appointment has been made possible by grants of $80,000 from the TSB community Trust and $50,000 from the church’s General Trust Board.

The church building, on Vivian St, has been closed since January 31 after a detailed seismic assessment determined it was an earthquake risk.

Although the church offices and Hatherly Hall have remained open, Sunday services are being held across the road in the Peace Hall. 

Her lifetime links

Jenny Goddard has had a 30-year association with the cathedral. She married there and her children were baptised there.

She said the work offered a real opportunity for enhancements to be carried out – such as heating and lighting, concealing cabling and opening up the building.

A number of projects had been put on hold ahead of the earthquake works, she said, and she compared the situation to extending a family home. She said a householder “wouldn't paint the end” if they were going to then tear it down shortly afterwards.

She added: “It's a beautiful building. It sits in a beautiful landscape and it's been the subject of many changes over the years - this is the start of another chapter in the life of the building.”

She will work with engineers, parishioners and councillors, as well as alongside the dean and the cathedral advisory committee.

The next step will be to secure a cost estimate for the work involved.

The Cathedral Dean, the Very Rev Peter Beck, has welcomed Jenny’s appointment, and said an “extraordinary opportunity” had now arisen “to look at what this cathedral can be for the community, the province, the diocese and the nation."

"There's a way to go,” he said, “but we're on our way.”