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Church Restoration Project
WORK is well underway on the first phase of extensive restoration at St Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, Bedworth.
Estimated to cost at least £310,000, the project includes re-roofing the church and presbytery, installing a more efficient gas heating system, moving the baptismal font to the back of the church, re-siting the confessional box and providing additional meeting room space.
Parish priest Fr David Lacy told the Tribune: "Long overdue restoration of the church is now coming to fruition, following the recent five-yearly quinquennial inspection when architects identified areas in need of repair.
"Survey reports indicate that repairs in excess of £310,000 are required to bring the church building up to satisfactory standard.
"We have set up a parish restoration committee to co-ordinate things in conjunction with various experts, the people of the parish and the archdiocese.
"The parish is fortunate that very careful management of funds over the last 20 years has enabled reserves to be built up and we are able to make a start.
"Other work will however be needed long-term. The second phase will involve adding a meeting room in the church which will be available for local community groups to use."
Access to the community room will be from the neighbouring Spitalfields car park, off Rye Piece Ringway.
Electrical re-wiring is also planned, as well as providing a toilet accessible to wheelchair-users and improved access to the church for people with disabilities.
The church foyer and sacristy rooms are to be redesigned or reorganised, to make better use of available space.
The roofing work, now about half way through, is being done by Dean Martin Roofing Contractors, of Hartshill. In the early stages, thieves used scaffolding to gain access to the church roof and steal lead.
Total cost of the work over several years is thought to be around £683,000. Numerous fund-raisers are planned, including a sponsor-a-slate scheme.
Fr Lacy added: "Our church is not just a meeting place for Catholics in Bedworth town, but where people can express their trust and faith in God’s presence in their lives.
Everything, including buildings, needs to be properly cared for within our limited means. Everything is for the greater glory of God."
24 August 2009
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