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“Let’s get the bell ringing again”

Project Kuhu Mai – Come on in!

Help us bring St Alban’s home.

For over 100 years, our church has been the heartbeat of the eastern bays. Silent since 2016, we’re ready to welcome our community back through doors that have celebrated life’s greatest moments and supported us through its challenges.

Now we need your help to make it safe and welcoming again. Every donation, large or small, brings us closer to opening our doors.

Detailed Information Sheet

A Century of Community,
A Future of Hope

For more than a hundred years, this beautiful church designed by acclaimed architect Frederick de Jersey Clere has been the home of Anglican parish life for people in the eastern bays of Wellington. People have rejoiced, prayed and wept through happy family milestones and sad occasions, through two world wars and countless celebrations and crises.

But in 2016, our congregation had to suddenly leave when the church was deemed an earthquake risk. Since then, we’ve kept our ministry alive through borrowed premises in local schools and other churches. Now we’re ready to come home – stronger and safer than ever.

Our vision is of a Church come alive again. A place open 7 days a week where people come and go; where everyone finds belonging no matter ‘who’, ‘what’ or ‘how’ they are.

A Church working in partnership with community to connect people with each other and with God.

For Worship & Gatherings

Church, worship, concerts, recitals, and celebrations in our historic sanctuary

For Community Connection

Film nights, dances, repair cafés, playgroups, lunch groups, youth activities, and a base to support the many activities that Eastbourne provides

For manaakitanga

The Parish has begun living out radical manaakitanga through deliberate invitation and hospitality. Community-focused events have increased and are gaining momentum. The church is growing!

Making it safe

Get on Board

key dates

Now – Dec 2025

Fundraising campaign.

Aug 2025 – Mar 2026

Design completion and consents.

Mid 2026 – Mid 2027

Construction phase

Strengthening for the Next Century

To achieve our vision, we need buildings that are fit for purpose and safe to use. Our detailed strengthening plans will:

For the Church

  • Add steel frames inside the building
  • Install concrete buttresses to outside walls
  • Provide steel supports to side walls
  • Refresh with complete redecoration

For the Hall

  • Provide new roof diaphragm
  • Brace brick end walls with steelwork
  • Improve storage facilities
  • Redecorate throughout

Ways to Support Project Kuhu Mai

Every small gift adds up to something big! Perfect for individuals, families, or anyone who wants to be part of bringing St Alban’s home. Whether you give $5 or $100, your donation brings us closer to opening our doors again.


Small donations are the backbone of community projects like ours. They show widespread support and help us demonstrate to grant funders that the whole community is behind Project Kuhu Mai.

How to give:
Visit our Give a Little page for quick online donations

or

Bank Transfer
Account name: Parish of Eastbourne
Account Number: 02-0500-0821577-01
Code: Earthquake fund
Reference: Your name and initial

Tax Benefits: St Alban’s will issue income tax receipts for you to reclaim your income tax on the donation at the end of the financial year in which the donation is made. Of course, you will be very welcome to re-donate the tax recovered if you would like to!

After making your donation, please complete the form below so we can issue your tax-deductible receipt promptly & keep you updated on project progress

Ready to make a major impact? Larger donations and pledges help us reach our $250,000 fundraising target faster and bring St Alban’s home sooner.

Major gifts allow us to move confidently into the construction phase and ensure we can complete all aspects of the strengthening work. Whether you’re a current parishioner, former member, local business, or community supporter, your significant gift will be recognised and deeply appreciated.
“The sky’s the limit!” says Stuart Mossman (Fundraising committee) “and it’s for all of us to use.”

How to give:

Online banking:

Account name: Parish of Eastbourne
Account Number: 02-0500-0821577-01
Code: Earthquake fund
Reference: Your name and initial

Tax Benefits: St Alban’s will issue income tax receipts for you to reclaim your income tax on the donation at the end of the financial year in which the donation is made. Of course, you will be very welcome to re-donate the tax recovered if you would like to!

After making your donation, please complete the form below so we can issue your tax-deductible receipt promptly & keep you updated on project progress

Be the first to ring St Alban’s bell when construction starts!
Want the honor of being the very first person to ring our bell again? This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to restart a tradition that has marked Sunday mornings in Eastbourne for over a century.
The winning bidder will have the privilege of ringing the bell to officially mark the start of our construction phase in mid-2026 – a historic moment for our community!
How to bid:
Email your bid to: office@stalbanschurch.nz

All auction proceeds go directly toward the earthquake strengthening project.

Prefer to spread your giving over time? Pledges help us plan our construction timeline while making it easier for you to give a larger total amount.

How pledges work:

  • Choose your total pledge amount
  • We’ll contact you to arrange three equal payments across 2025, 2026, and 2027
  • All funds are held in a special account dedicated solely to this project
  • St Alban’s will issue income tax receipts for you to reclaim your income tax on the donation at the end of the financial year in which the donation is made. Of course, you will be very welcome to re-donate the tax recovered if you would like to!

Even before our public appeal launched, we’ve already received over $150,000 in generous pledges and donations!

Make a pledge:

I/we wish to make a three-year pledge with equal annual payments in 2025, 2026, and 2027.

Your energy and enthusiasm are just as valuable as financial donations! There are many ways to contribute your time and skills to Project Kuhu Mai.

Volunteer opportunities:

  • Help organise fundraising events throughout 2025
  • Help in the Eastbourne garden show (contact stuart@mossman.net.nz)
  • Assist with community outreach and spreading the word
  • Join our upcoming activities and community gatherings
  • Share your professional skills (marketing, event planning, etc.)
  • Help with administrative tasks and communications

Since 2024, we’ve been living out radical manaakitanga through deliberate invitation and hospitality. Green shoots are appearing in Parish life and the church is growing – and we’d love your help nurturing this growth!

Get involved: Contact Sue Brown: sue@stalbanschurch.nz 

Please pray for the project vision as “more things are wrought by prayer than this world dreams of” – Tennyson. And to ensure we maintain our spiritual direction. Psalm 127:1 says, “Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain”.