St Mary Magdalen Church in 2008
The image above shows the Church as it was in 2008. During the 1970s the altar was cut from the reredos, shortened and placed on the Communion step, an "apron" was added to give space in front of the altar. For weddings and funerals several benches had to be removed. The pulpit was lowered and one side was removed and destroyed. The font was moved onto the sanctuary. All the stone work in the church was painted white which quickly turned grey; capitals and columns were painted with metallic paint. The "linoleum" dates from 1950/60. The lighting system was installed c.1988 as a temporary measure.
The image above shows progress as at 2009. The sanctuary was restored to its original dimensions, the font removed, the benches and floor sanded and re-varnished.
The sanctuary was restored to its original dimensions, the font removed, the benches and floor sanded and re-varnished.
The image above shows the new lighting system which was installed in 2010. The radiators were also moved to widen the central aisle much of the paint has been stripped from the stone in the nave.
The image above shows Midnight Mass, 2011. A stone floor was installed on the sanctuary on December 22nd, 2011.
Postcards of the church c1890. Note the narrowness of the aisle, the apparent absence of lighting apart from candles in the sanctuary and the height of the original pulpit, which will be restored as an ambo.
The Baptistery was completed on 23rd Dec 2011. A hardwood surround needs to be inserted between the floorboards and the stone floor.
We are indebted to our architect Deirdre Waddington for the work carried and its progress.
