News
Renovation Plans for Co-Cathedral
Stage 1 and 2 of the renovations are now complete.
The sanctuary area has now been modified so that it can more appropriately accommodate con-celebrated liturgies. The bishop’s chair (cathedra) has been moved to the southern side of the sanctuary and the tabernacle returned to the centre of the sanctuary. A new ambo (lectern) has been placed on the northern end of the sanctuary made from marble to match the altar. The sanctuary in front of the altar has been extended at the same height so that celebrants can process around the altar. The baptismal font has been placed closer to the windows of the northern side of the church. The keyboard and choir have already returned to the loft and minor upgrades to the sound system have been made. During Stage 2, the shorter pews were placed on both sides to make better room for wheel-chair parking, for funerals as well as possible ordinations. A chair lift has been installed to allow for wheel-chair access onto the sanctuary.
Work remaining to be done:
Specially commissioned artwork of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (diocesan patron) and Saint John Vianney (church patron) would feature on the two side panels at the front of the sanctuary.
The confessional will be converted into the Diocesan Mary of the Cross shrine. The current Madonna Shrine would be remodelled as a confessional to meet with current standards. This space, with its glass frontage, already meets the standards for confessionals. The Madonna will be transferred into the second confessional (present storeroom). The present rear vestry would be converted into extra seating space as well as a quiet prayer space. The choir loft railing needs to be made higher to meet with safety requirements.
There will be refurbishment of the main church entrance. Glass doors would connect the interior of the church with the entrance which, then, could be more suitably used for a spill-over area when there are very large congregations. An extra toilet would be included (plus toilets in the new Kinder school block would be available if required to church visitors). The exterior cladding needs upgrading and the floor needs to be made slip-proof. The roofing over each of the entrances needs attention to prevent leaking during heavy rain. The interior of the Church has been repainted, the ceiling restained and repaired; sanctuary lighting will be upgraded, the sound system replaced and new projectors installed.
To allow for scaffolding to be installed to facilitate the painting, the church was closed so that the pews and the carpet were removed and timber floor boards sanded and polished.
The sanctuary area has now been modified so that it can more appropriately accommodate con-celebrated liturgies. The bishop’s chair (cathedra) has been moved to the southern side of the sanctuary and the tabernacle returned to the centre of the sanctuary. A new ambo (lectern) has been placed on the northern end of the sanctuary made from marble to match the altar. The sanctuary in front of the altar has been extended at the same height so that celebrants can process around the altar. The baptismal font has been placed closer to the windows of the northern side of the church. The keyboard and choir have already returned to the loft and minor upgrades to the sound system have been made. During Stage 2, the shorter pews were placed on both sides to make better room for wheel-chair parking, for funerals as well as possible ordinations. A chair lift has been installed to allow for wheel-chair access onto the sanctuary.
Work remaining to be done:
Specially commissioned artwork of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (diocesan patron) and Saint John Vianney (church patron) would feature on the two side panels at the front of the sanctuary.
The confessional will be converted into the Diocesan Mary of the Cross shrine. The current Madonna Shrine would be remodelled as a confessional to meet with current standards. This space, with its glass frontage, already meets the standards for confessionals. The Madonna will be transferred into the second confessional (present storeroom). The present rear vestry would be converted into extra seating space as well as a quiet prayer space. The choir loft railing needs to be made higher to meet with safety requirements.
There will be refurbishment of the main church entrance. Glass doors would connect the interior of the church with the entrance which, then, could be more suitably used for a spill-over area when there are very large congregations. An extra toilet would be included (plus toilets in the new Kinder school block would be available if required to church visitors). The exterior cladding needs upgrading and the floor needs to be made slip-proof. The roofing over each of the entrances needs attention to prevent leaking during heavy rain. The interior of the Church has been repainted, the ceiling restained and repaired; sanctuary lighting will be upgraded, the sound system replaced and new projectors installed.
To allow for scaffolding to be installed to facilitate the painting, the church was closed so that the pews and the carpet were removed and timber floor boards sanded and polished.
- View video walkthough of the renovations:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uhI_BsU8vT4
Please note - some of the colours (eg carpets) have changed since this video was prepared, and other details have been modified.
Many items (such as baptismal font, stations of the cross, lights and speakers) are not shown in the video.
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