The final service and deconsecration at St Mary's Anglican Church, in Omakau, was performed without lighting or an electric organ on February 21 after a storm four days earlier blew its electricity supply.

Vicar, the Rev. Penny Sinnamon, said at 11pm on February 17, lightning hit the building and fused wires on its mains box which turned the lights on.

‘‘We only found out about it 24 hours later when the neighbour noticed the lights."

The box blew and had to be turned off.

‘The insurance company calls it an ‘act of God'," Rev. Sinnamon said.

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