Early-morning blaze destroys interior of St Paul's Presbyterian Church in Napier

Around 1 am on Monday, an unexplained fire ignited St Paul’s Presbyterian Church on Tennyson Street in Napier, quickly consuming the interior sanctuary and causing the roof to buckle. Crews from four nearby fire stations tackled the flames, and a fire investigator was on site the following morning. Reverend Mark Johnston, who co-leads the parish with his wife Reverend Carolyn Kelly, described the loss as total for the sanctuary and noted that original pews from the 1931 earthquake were also destroyed.

The building’s exterior survived thanks to metal trusses, and the administration offices, lounge, kitchen and toilets remain functional. Johnston said the congregation will seek a temporary location for worship in the coming days, while the mayor expressed hope the church can resume its community role soon.