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St Mary's Catholic Church in Belfast to close for three weeks in summer for renovation work

Belfast's oldest Catholic Church, St Mary's in Chapel Lane, will be closed for around three weeks in the summer due to renovation work. Picture by Hugh Russell
Belfast's oldest Catholic Church, St Mary's in Chapel Lane, will be closed for around three weeks in the summer due to renovation work. Picture by Hugh Russell Belfast's oldest Catholic Church, St Mary's in Chapel Lane, will be closed for around three weeks in the summer due to renovation work. Picture by Hugh Russell

THE oldest Catholic Church in Belfast is to be closed for three weeks in the summer for renovation work.

St Mary's, in Chapel Lane in the city centre, will undergo both external and internal restoration between May and August but will be open as normal for the majority of that time.

It follows on from the first phase of development work on the church, which was completed in 2014.

In a message to parishioners in the weekly bulletin, the parish administrator, Fr James Boyle, wrote: "I wish to confirm....that the proposed external refurbishment and internal redecoration of the Church will commence on Monday 8th May and is due to be completed by Friday 18th August."

Work to be done on the outside of the building includes the complete replacement of the main roof coverings and the repairing and re-pointing of walls and stonework, while new paving is to be installed in the grotto area, which is dedicated to Our Lady of Lourdes.

Restoration work will be carried out on both the inside and outside of the church, lasting from May to August. Picture by Hugh Russell
Restoration work will be carried out on both the inside and outside of the church, lasting from May to August. Picture by Hugh Russell Restoration work will be carried out on both the inside and outside of the church, lasting from May to August. Picture by Hugh Russell

The main walls and ceilings inside the church, where Mass was first celebrated in 1784, will also be cleaned down and repainted.

Fr Boyle wrote: "The external work will not cause any disruption to the daily operation of the Church, however, the internal redecoration will result in the main Church being closed for a period which will not exceed three weeks.

"The relevant dates will be confirmed ASAP at which time we will clarify the alternative arrangements for daily celebration of Masses."

New paving is to be installed in the grotto area, which is dedicated to Our Lady of Lourdes. Picture by Hugh Russell
New paving is to be installed in the grotto area, which is dedicated to Our Lady of Lourdes. Picture by Hugh Russell New paving is to be installed in the grotto area, which is dedicated to Our Lady of Lourdes. Picture by Hugh Russell

A grant of £86,000 from the Listed Places of Worship Roof Repair Fund in Manchester will go towards the final bill, and Fr Boyle describing the grant as the "catalyst" for further work as it must be used by early 2018.

Cleary Contracting, a firm based in Randalstown, Co Antrim, has been appointed to undertake the project.

"The total cost of all the intended work will be in excess of £300,000. The remaining funding requirements for the roof and other specified works will be met by St Mary's parish," wrote Fr Boyle.

"With your continued generosity we will eventually catch up with any shortfall."