|
|
€275,000 facelift for St.
Mary's Church
29.07.08
Cockhill Church to
remain open during renovations
BUNCRANA parish priest Fr John Walsh yesterday
confirmed that St. Mary's Church, Cockhill, will not
close at any time during a major €275,000
refurbishment of the 160 year old building.
Work on the 1847 church will begin around September
this year and will take an estimated four months to
complete.
Fr. Walsh outlined the nature of the renovations and
said parishioners needn't worry about too much
disruption.
"The bulk of the work will be in relation to the
preservation of the original windows. These date
from 1847 and are essentially small diamond panes of
glass. Their restoration will require specialist and
delicate workmanship," explained Fr Walsh. |
Fr Walsh said the
tender process for the window contract is nearing
completion and the successful company will be from
the North West.
Currently, the building fund for the works amounts
to around €85,000 while the total amount needed, |
 |
when professional fees
are included, will be more than €300,000. Buncrana
and Cockhill parishioners were told at the weekend
through the Sunday church bulletin that the parish
intended meeting the anticipated deficit by holding
a second weekly collection. "This collection will
take place at each Mass every weekend after Holy
Communion. Initially the second collection will last
from September 6 until November 23. If our target is
not achieved by the start of Advent, we will
continue with the second collection in the New Year.
We appeal for your generous support," the bulletin
notice said.
Meanwhile, Fr. Walsh said the renovation works would
also include the installation of wheelchair access
ramps in the church porches, a limited amount of
electrical work, a central heating upgrade as well
as painting and redecoration of the interior.
Cockhill Church was last refurbished in 1997 for its
150th anniversary. |
|
