PHOTO: MATTHEW TSO/STUFF Tony Cook said the 1883 former Wesley Church had to be gutted and was nearly completely rebuilt.
A developer hopes a once condemned church can become a source of pride in its community.
Developer Tony Cook bought the 136-year-old Wesley Church three years ago and has spent the past 11 months converting it into three luxury apartments, dubbed the Wesley Residences.
Inspired by restored colonial villas in the Auckland suburb of Ponsonby, Cook said he wanted to do his bit to preserve the character of the Lower Hutt suburb which has a number of early buildings and houses.
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