A central Wellington church has been closed for earthquake strengthening following last Sunday's quake.
St Mary of the Angels Church, which was built nearly 100 years ago and is of a neo-gothic design, was already flagged as needing earthquake strengthening.
Parish priest Father Barry Scannell says the strengthening was to begin later this year, but Sunday's quake highlighted the need for work to get underway as soon as possible.
He says the church will be closed from today for around 18 months while the historic building is strengthened, and it's expected to cost between five and eight million dollars.
