A man who set fire to a Christchurch church told police it was retaliation against God for killing his friends in the earthquake.
Cheyenne Destiny Jade Reed, 35, has admitted the arson of St Margaret's Presbyterian Church in Bishopdale in May -- which caused extensive damage to the chapel and storeroom.
Six fire appliances and a command unit had to battle the blaze on Farrington Ave, after receiving a call at 5:44am on May 15.
Reed appeared via video-link in the Christchurch District Court on Monday where he admitted the charge, and he also pleaded guilty to unrelated charges of theft of a car and perfume, unlawful possession of a knife, and two burglaries in Farrington Avenue.
St Margaret's minister Andrew Nicol said the fire was "devastating" and "upsetting" for the community.
Reed was remanded in custody for sentencing in August.
Newshub/Court News
