Christchurch quake survivors head to church

BY CLIO FRANCIS IN CHRISTCHURCH

Amid the earthquake-damaged remains of downtown Christchurch floods of worshippers went to church this morning to give thanks for the city's miraculous escape from disaster.

At 4.36am yesterday morning an earthquake measuring 7.1 struck Canterbury, its epicentre situated just 40km west of Christchurch.

The quake struck in darkness, causing building facades to crumble, chimney stacks to collapse and leaving many residents terrified.

Today the central city remains cordoned off and some residents remain without power, phone lines or water.

But in the midst of the debris many locals turned out to their churches this morning, to thank God the damage wasn't worse.

On Barbados St floods of people gathered in a small, clapboard building for their Sunday church service, a humble hall in the shadow of the damaged Catholic Basilica.

A piece of paper hastily struck on the Cathedral's front doors warned worshippers that due to the quake their service would be held in the nearby Samoan centre.

Churchgoer Rochelle Venadas told Stuff.co.nz she had been "scared for her life" when the quake hit.

"I came to church this morning because that is what we do every weekend and this weekend especially we must give thanks for the miracle that more people were not hurt."

Roman Catholic Bishop of Christchurch Barry Jones said in the wake of the earthquake many people were finding comfort in the church.

"We just have to give thanks to God that there's no-one dead.

"I mean there's lot of damage to buildings but there's no dead... normally when you hear of a earthquakes, you look at people going through rubble looking for living persons and dead persons but there's nothing like that in Christchurch.

"This would have to be one of the wonders of the world."

Visitor Susan Bidwell said the community spirit of Christchurch had been strengthened by the earthquake.

"I noticed yesterday in our township that everyone was out because you couldn't buy anything, there was no power, no television. It was just like an old-fashioned village.

"The whole thing is a miracle really."

Alexandra Bidwell, 5, said the earthquake on Saturday morning had been "frightening".

"There was only one big one and lots of little ones.

"I am not scared of all the little shakes."

She said she and her brother Tom, 3, had taken shelter under the table and put their hands over their heads in the "turtle" position they had learnt at school.

Outside the church local woman Jeannine Mander wiped away tears as she took photos of the rubble pitted around the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament.

"I've heard people singing from here over the years.

"It's just so sad that this could happen to such a beautiful building.

"Just a few seconds of shaking can cause this. It just breaks my heart."

But Ms Mander believes it could have been worse.

"I guess the important thing is that buildings can be replaced and people cannot. We got so lucky here in Christchurch."

- © Fairfax NZ News