St.Nicholas Parish Church, Halewood
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St.Nicholas Parish Church, Halewood
Latest News |
Say
Good-bye to the Old Boiler!
Good news.
Veolia Environmental Trust have granted St Nicholas Church £27,126 for a new
efficient gas central heating system which will eventually replace the old
coke/oil boiler which provides our heating at the moment. The old system of
using an oil fired boiler to generate under floor heating has caused fumes to
leak into the body of the Church which over the years have damaged the stained
glass windows. The new gas boiler is a wet system with a fan assisted, balanced
flue, which ensures complete elimination of fumes as well as being less damaging
environmentally. The new boiler is also very efficient and so will be more
economical to run and with less likelihood of breakdown. This will be good news
to clergy and congregation alike, many of whom know how cold it can be in Church
on a winters morning when the oil fired boiler has failed to light. The new area
at the back of Church along with the improved heating system provides a more
user friendly environment to the benefit of everyone.
Initially the new boiler will
heat only the rear of the church because a radiator system in the Church itself
will necessitate the removal of the pews, which is part of phase two of Church
renovations. Phase two, which depends on the efforts of the Fund raising team,
is due to commence hopefully in 2008 when the old box pews will be removed to
enable radiators to be fitted to the walls. More comfortable pews and chairs
will replace the old ones and a centre aisle will replace what we have now,
along with new carpet and lighting.
Having seen what a difference the new entrance makes to the Church we can only look forward to phase two and the eventual total renovation of our historic building which can only
go ahead through the generosity of Trusts like Veolia.Preserving the best of the past for future generations
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Church Re-opening
On 10th June Canon Owen Eva
honoured us with his presence when he officially opened the Church again after
it had been closed for 3 months. Canon Eva, who is now 90 years of age was
Rector of this Parish for 25 years. Also present at the opening ceremony were
the Mayor of Halewood and Mr Tom Taylor who built the original glass screen,
separating the Church from the rear area. The Church was packed for the occasion
and there was standing room only, for those who arrived late.
For many it was their first
visit to see the newly renovated entrance and rear of St Nicholas Church and
everyone was greatly impressed with the new light and airy and easily accessible
entrance. The renovation has provided a pleasant enclosed space for meetings
with rooms leading off for the clergy, the utility area, access to the old
double doors at the back, and much needed toilet facilities. The glass screen
between the body of the Church and the rear, now has central double doors
instead of the old single doors either side which occasionally caused problems.
One of the best preserved William Morris windows, ‘The Adoration of the
Magi’, which was hidden before, behind a cupboard and coat rack, is now in
pride of place opposite the entrance as both cupboard and coat rack are gone.
The first ceremony to be held in Church after the opening, was a wedding which took place on a hot day (if you can remember what it is like to have hot weather!). The new arrangement of the center doors in the screen enabled the double doors at the back to be opened to allow a welcome breeze to flow into the body of Church, another benefit of the renovations, natural air conditioning!
