The Restoration of the Manchester Oratory
Phase One - 2015/16
Removal and Treatment of Dry Rot in the North Aisle, Rebuilding the Steeple & Building Lavatory Facilities
We were awarded a grant of £250,000 from the English Heritage Lottery Fund to begin work on the church's restoration. This grant covered most of the basic structural work of the first stage of restoration; the removal and treatment of the extensive dry-rot in the north aisle, rebuilding of the church steeple, and the building of lavatory facilities.
Fr Ray, with Architects John Pritchard and Rebecca Mills, blessing the Golden Cross on the tower that looks over Manchester city centre at the Topping Out ceremony.
Phase Two - 2019
Restoration of the Great West Window with a new narrative scheme and new glass. Restoration of the South Porch.
Phase Three - 2020
Installation of disabled access
Completion of stages two and three
With the help of the Heritage Lottery Fund, Historic England, the generous donations of the people of St Chad's and legacies received, the most recent restoration works have been completed.
(In the first photo) After Mass on February 2nd, in which the newly completed West Window was blessed, Father Ray gives a talk on the window to those gathered, regarding its detail and meanings, and on the latest restoration works, the guidebook and future plans.
