It was standing room only yesterday as one of Wanganui's architectural treasures was officially given a new lease of life.
The Sacred Heart Chapel on St John's Hill was re-opened after major renovation work and the large number in attendance was testimony to how much it means to so many people.
Now part of the Jane Winstone retirement village, the 96-year-old chapel has been beautifully restored and earthquake strengthened at a cost of $1million to the retirement village owners Ryman Healthcare.
When the chapel, once part of Sacred Heart College, was built in 1918, the bill was $7000.
Jane Winstone manager Victoria Morris welcomed people to "one of the safest buildings in Wanganui", while Ryman Healthcare managing director Simon Challies acknowledged a "very challenging project" and how close the chapel was to the hearts of past students, Jane Winstone residents and everyone who had been married there.