More than half of Wellington's catholic church buildings have been labelled at "immediate concern" of earthquake risk, with 25 churches deemed earthquake-prone. The Catholic Archdiocese of Wellington is facing a price-tag of more than $3 million just to complete assessments and decide on remedial work for each of the 181 parish buildings in the area.
It has been assessing all parish buildings as part of Project Stronger, to identify which churches and schools are at risk.
The Archdiocese has more than 180 buildings in the area stretching from Reefton to Levin, including churches, halls, and presbyteries. Some are heritage-listed, and many are used by community groups and schools.
An initial assessment in 2011 deemed more than half of these as of " immediate concern" and assessments have now been undertaken on 41 buildings.
Of these, 25 churches, four halls and seven presbyteries were found to be earthquake-prone, or assessed at less than 34 per cent of the national building standard.
Parishes have been instructed to begin thinking about alternatives for worship and administration if buildings are to be closed, and to act quickly on all recommendations.
The figures have been revealed by Wellington Archdiocese General Manager Paul Bayliss in the Roadshow 2012 presentation document.
St Joseph's Church, in the centre of the city, has erected notices telling church-goers to "enter at their own risk" after a preliminary assessment found the 1960s church was at 12 per cent of the building code.
A decision on further action will be made by May 18, the parish's Father Ron Bennett has said.
Saints Peter and Paul Catholic church in Lower Hutt has also announced temporary closure, as it decides what can be done to strengthen the building.
Churches in the Wellington archdiocese are also facing a challenge due to a hike in earthquake insurance cover, with premiums leaping by 80 per cent.
The total for all parishes in the area has jumped from $380,000 to around $680,000, the roadshow document said.
Schools have faced a similar increase, with the 42 schools under the archbishops control facing insurance premiums of $685,000.
The Catholic School Board Ltd was managing the insurance increases for schools, which would be paid from school fees.
But the parishes faced a challenge, already coping with a deficit in funding of $780,000 last year which combined with the insurance bill, brought the total debt up to more than $1 million.
The ''untenable situation,'' would be faced in the short-term with a subsidy of $200,000 - to be doled out to parishes by the archdiocese administration board - while decisions were made about whether churches could afford to cover for natural hazards in the future.
Parishes have been instructed to pay their insurance as normal, and contact the archdiocese if they can not afford it.