A historic church in Bury St Edmunds is undergoing a facelift in
the final phase of an ambitious £500,000 restoration and redecoration
project.
The Catholic Church of St Edmund King and Martyr, in
Westgate Street, is temporarily closed until Easter while the £240,000
work is completed to restore some plaster as well as install new
lighting, a PA system and altar.
The overhaul is the remaining
part of a five year regeneration of the building with works already
unveiled on the crypt and chapel - costing £125,000 and £80,000
respectively.
It is the first time the church has been closed during its 175 year history and nearly 40 years since it was last repainted.
Parish
priest Father Philip Shryane said when the church was redecorated last
Century it was possible to continue to hold services but this time ‘the
scaffolding, disruption and need for safety’ meant it was necessary to
close the church.
There have been changes to the times and
locations of services with information available from
www.stedmundkm.org.uk or by calling 01284 754358.
Mass on Sunday
will be at St Benedict’s Catholic School, in Beeton’s Way, from 8.30am
and 10.30am or St Edmund’s School, in Westgate Street, at 6pm.
The
reopening of the church is scheduled for Easter.
A booklet ‘The Present
From Our Past’ setting out the history of the church is available at
£4.50 per copy.