RESTORATION OF ST IGNATIUS CHURCH RICHMOND - PROGRESS REPORT

It is now just over 2 years since we began the much needed restoration project of our beautiful and historic church.  We would like to bring you up to date on our progress so far.

Firstly the parish indebited to our former parish priest, Fr Peter Norden, SJ, for iniating the project. Without Peter’s drive, commitment and enthusiasm the project would not have gotten off the ground, nor have progressed so far in such a short time. The parish owes Peter a great deal.

We would like to express our grateful thanks to all who have supported the project – individuals, families, community groups, grants, bequests and “work in kind” – all have contributed significantly. Of course funding has and will be an ongoing challenge as we move forward to continue the church’s restoration.

On the exterior the following projects are some that have been completed – significant repairs to the roof and guttering, major structural work on the north trancept wall and windows, replacing drainage at the rear of the church, repairs and replacing the sandstone facing at the front, north and rear of the church and exterior lighting.

In the church’s interior we have completed the day chapel, “draught proofed” the main entrance, replaced the main switchboard and attended to other electrical work and lighting, updated our security system, restored various pieces of our precious sacramental objects including the historic tabernacle, repair and cleaning of stained glass windows, general painting and many minor repairs and restoration work.

Despite all of this there are still a number of significant projects to be completed, they include:

Heating for the church

• Similar structural work (as occurred on the north trancept) to the south trancept.
• Urgent restoration of our beautiful 19th century Stations of the Cross paintings.
• Major structural work on the spire.

This year we also completed essential repairs to the spire, however major work will need to be undertaken in the next few years. This is an expensive exercise, which will cost us $1 million dollars.

We thank you for your encouragement, assistance and support so far with the restoration and look forward to your continued participation in the future, resorting our church in its fullness, to the “Greater Glory Of God”.

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Pictured, a wedding reception for a group of 300 guests in the St Ignatius Centre, immediately behind St Ignatius Church in Richmond. Good kitchen and cooking facilities available, as well as plentiful carparking in a central location.

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