Today has marked new beginnings for the Methodist community in Christchurch's inner city.

Construction will begin today on a new multi complex church at the former Durham Street Methodist Church.

The former church was destroyed during the 2011 earthquake, taking three lives with it.

Neil Stocker, Paul Dunlop and Scott Lucy died while trying to recover the pipe organ.

The three men were remembered today at a blessing ceremony this morning to mark the start of construction.

More than 50 people braved the wet weather as Nga Tahu and Taha Maori blessed the site to be known as Aldersgate.

City Councillor Glenn Livingstone says it's important that the three men are remembered.

"Very much in everyone's minds at the blessing that we just had, and acknowledging that, and moving on from there I am sure they will be in everybody's memory in the new structure that goes up."

There will be a memorial for the three men in a garden on the Chester Street side.

Reverend Rob Ferguson says very little was able to be salvaged from the building.

"Some little pieces, lecterns and things like that, but nothing of any huge shape or size."

Ferguson says the start of the complex has been a long time coming.

"But slow planning is good planning, eh. We've slowly but surely worked out what we want and had wonderful architects to help and engineers and all the rest."

The Reverend says the design is stunning and it will be unlike any church in Christchurch.