CHRISTCHURCH, New Zealand (AP) - For 130 years, Christchurch Cathedral stood at the center of its city as a graceful monument to its heritage and civic pride. Now, with its spire decapitated by an earthquake, it has become a symbol of the city's anguish. (Scroll down for photos)
Tuesday's 6.3-magnitude earthquake that killed at least 145 people in New Zealand left the Anglican cathedral's once-stately bell tower in ruins, possibly with an additional 22 people lying dead in the rubble.
"The cathedral is the heart of the city, and the city has a broken heart," the building's dean, Peter Beck, said while looking at the damage.
The central area of Christchurch, one of New Zealand's three main cities and a picturesque tourism hub of 350,000 people, radiates outward from the cathedral's plaza like spokes on a wheel. The Avon River meanders through a mostly low-rise city dotted with greenery and old stone buildings -- many of them brought down by the quake -- that have imparted an Old England character.
The cathedral had survived another quake last September with only minor damage. But when the ground moved again Tuesday, it suffered as cruelly as its city.
The body of the cathedral remained in one piece, but its spire severed and toppled into Cathedral Square. That was followed by a cascade of masonry, which lies in deep drifts around the main entrance. The roof was pierced by falling stones, leaving the altar and pews open to the sky.
That was a sad day for Christchurch, said resident Tina Macdonald, 55, who works at a motel and considers the building one of the city's main draws.
"It's an icon," she said. "It was such a beautiful building inside, and people would go there just to sit in the quietness."
Much of the rest of downtown also has been devastated. Officials say it will take several months before any businesses can be allowed to reopen -- by some estimates at least a third of the buildings must be razed to ensure safety.
Anglican Bishop Victoria Matthews said the cathedral would rise again and reclaim its place as the city's spiritual center.
"It's entirely fixable as far as we understand at this time," Matthews told The Associated Press. "I was right up close to it this morning and though obviously the damage is extensive, I have every confidence it can be rebuilt."
The cathedral has suffered several quakes that damaged its spire -- the first one dislodging a stone just a month after the building was consecrated on Nov. 1, 1881. The spire was damaged again in 1888 and 1901 and rebuilt each time, though it never suffered as much damage as this past week.
Before any rebuilding can begin, crews much clear the rubble and search for what is believed to be as many as 22 people buried inside.
Many of those missing were part of a tour group which had just begun to climb the bell tower to take advantage of its panoramic views of the city. They may be trapped near the tower's base and under rubble.
That work began only Friday, and aftershocks soon brought new slabs of masonry down, and the work was on hold again Saturday.
"It's a very delicate job," Beck said.
Matthews said it's important not to value a building over the city's people.
"I never underestimate the importance of symbolism. The cathedral is symbolic but it is not all that is important," she said. "The big problem for this city is not the cathedral, it's the loss of so many lives."
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
It's Another Trump-Biden Showdown — And We Need Your Help
The Future Of Democracy Is At Stake
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
Your Loyalty Means The World To Us
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
The 2024 election is heating up, and women's rights, health care, voting rights, and the very future of democracy are all at stake. Donald Trump will face Joe Biden in the most consequential vote of our time. And HuffPost will be there, covering every twist and turn. America's future hangs in the balance. Would you consider contributing to support our journalism and keep it free for all during this critical season?
HuffPost believes news should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay for it. We rely on readers like you to help fund our work. Any contribution you can make — even as little as $2 — goes directly toward supporting the impactful journalism that we will continue to produce this year. Thank you for being part of our story.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
It's official: Donald Trump will face Joe Biden this fall in the presidential election. As we face the most consequential presidential election of our time, HuffPost is committed to bringing you up-to-date, accurate news about the 2024 race. While other outlets have retreated behind paywalls, you can trust our news will stay free.
But we can't do it without your help. Reader funding is one of the key ways we support our newsroom. Would you consider making a donation to help fund our news during this critical time? Your contributions are vital to supporting a free press.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our journalism free and accessible to all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circumstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you'll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.
Support HuffPostAlready contributed? Log in to hide these messages.