A Category 2 Heritage Building in North Canterbury will be reaping the rewards from a local wedding expo.

All Things Wedding by North Canterbury Weddings will be accepting gold coin donations at their open day on Sunday 24 September to help raise money for a roof for the historic Ashley Community Church, which currently leaks.

The 152-year-old church was sold for demolition in the early 1970s, but locals with strong ties to the building and its heritage, salvaged it for interdenominational use by the wider community. An incorporated society now manages bookings of the deconsecrated church, as well as its maintenance, and restoration work.

A spokeswoman from North Canterbury Weddings said the team of over 40 wedding vendors wanted to support the heritage project within their community, and taking door donations at the open day seemed like the best way to help.

“Wedding fairs often have high cover charges, but we want to make our open day accessible to as many engaged couples as possible, while doing some good for the community in which we live and work,” the spokeswoman said.

“For us to take donations at the door absolutely feels like the right thing to do for the beautiful Ashley Church. As vendors it feels like we’re contributing in a small way to help them raise a roof — and everyone who attends our open day can also have that same sense of community pride,” she said.

Ashley Community Church chairperson David Ayers said the “donation will definitely be helpful and bring us a step closer to our roofing goals”.

All Things Wedding North Canterbury is being held at Bramble Grove, Old North Road, Kaiapoi — Sunday 24 September, 11am-2pm.