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Church restoration |
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Click on the relevant button for a pictorial view of how our recent restoration progressed. In addition, pictures following the completion of the project and some detail regarding the furnishings can be found here. Pictures of how the church looked prior to the restoration can be seen here.
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During the latter part of 2004 and early 2005 a major restoration of the church building was carried out. The building was suffering from a number of serious problems associated with the original conversion to a church in the early 1900s, the various extensions since then and the challenge of maintaining a historic building. In parallel to the restoration, the opportunity was taken to expand the church to cater for the thirty to forty people who regularly stand at our 10:30 Mass and to improve the surrounding service areas.
The main elements of the scheme were:
 | elimination of flat roofs and associate leaks introduced as part of the original church conversion |
| restoration of core structure including the replacement of rotted timbers |
| the removal of the rear wall and the relocation of the altar into the current vestry |
| new entrance and "cloister" (with disabled access) |
| remodelling of the presbytery garden both as the main entrance to the church and as a "piazza" |
| upgraded heating, lighting and sound systems |
| redecoration in an appropriate style |
| replacement of the carpet with a combination of wood and stone |
Some of the original art work from the time of the 1906 church conversion is still in need of restoration but this will need to wait for future funding.
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Part of a painting done on paper by FR Gadsby dating from 1922, in the manner of Burne Jones and probably intended to be a memorial to the dead of the First World War. (Click on the picture for a closer view) |