A Highbury congregation will hold a farewell service at St Michael's Church Hall on Sunday before the building is demolished to make way for a new $750,000-plus facility.

Archdeacon Mere Topia said the service was a chance for the community to give thanks for the church marae complex hall that has served St Michael's for 45 years.

"It's a chance for closure for people . . . to say goodbye to the old building."

More than 8000 people a year visit the complex where the hall stands to attend church services, school and sporting events, tangi and other hui and community activities.

Once used as the church, it has rarely been used as a place of worship since the new church on Ellesmere Cres was built at the marae complex in 1982.

Marae complex committee member Owen Topia said the old hall was well past its use-by date, and not up to modern building standards.

The new hall, including kitchen and dining hall, will be built on the same site as the old, facing Pembroke St, and will be the same size.

But with double-glazing, increased use of natural light, plenty of insulation and disability access, it will be a warmer, more welcoming environment.

The new building is expected to take three to four months to complete.

The committee is still applying for grants and carrying out fundraising.

So far it has received $177,000 from the Wellington Maori Diocese Hui Amorangi ki te Upoko O te Ika, $70,000 from the Eastern and Central Community Trust, and $125,000 from the Central Energy Trust.

The community fundraising project will invite 700 people to donate $10 each for a carpet tile.

The last service is at 10am on Sunday, followed by morning tea.

- © Fairfax NZ News