An initial evaluation assessment found the 37-year-old St Canice's Catholic Church was only 18 per cent compliant with the New Building Standards, said Father Raymond Soriano.

This gave it a grade E rating, the lowest possible, and meant it was 25-40 times more liable to collapse in a quake than a 100 per cent compliant building.

The parish had decided to continue to hold services at the church, but would leave it closed at other times, said Fr Soriano.