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I share with the whole parish the update I shared with St Mary’s 9am Mass last Sunday:

 

St Mary of the Angels is a Grade II Listed Building. As stewards of this inheritance, we are required to maintain the Church to the highest standards of conservation. But with an old Church comes significant costs and unforeseen complications, even in matters of routine repair or wear and tear. Last May, in a routine service of the two boilers that heat St Mary’s Church, the engineers discovered faults that could not be repaired. Since May, then, together with Ann O’Connor, our Parish Secretary, I have endeavoured to have from the maintenance company a clear understanding of the situation, where we find ourselves, and what steps I need to take as parish priest to remedy the faults on the boilers. The result of these enquiries has been that the boilers are condemned and no longer fit for heating the Church. As such, St Mary of the Angels will not have heating this Winter. Having further enquired as to the initial costs of replacing the two boilers, the first quote – simply for replacing both – is just over £45,000.00. The diocesan property department have advised me that in removing and replacing in such an old Church – and Grade Listed, also – we must consider the conservation aspects and the likelihood of finding asbestos on removal. These conservation considerations will require a consultant and permissions from the Historic Churches Committee and other conservation bodies who will advise us on the correct approach to minimise damage to the fabric of the building and to ensure that any boiler replacement is ‘future-proof’, ensuring the whole site is adequately served and any issues that arise (rust, pipe damage, leakage, asbestos, etc.) are dealt with at this juncture.

 

The board of planning and finance meet in November to review the works required and to authorise the necessary expenditure to replace the boilers and whatever secondary works may arise or may become necessary. As parish priest, my responsibility is to refer such projects to the diocese and the diocese then – on our behalf – take on the responsibilities and principal day-to-day oversight of all the necessary works. Other Churches in our diocese have had a Sunday Mass offered without heating during Winter, these Churches were also Grade Listed like St Mary’s. I have considered whether we could purchase multiple heaters to heat the Church – perhaps on timers from 4am – to allow sufficient time to heat the Church prior to the 9am Sunday Mass. I even considered asking Father Mark at St Paul’s, Hooton to use their church for our Sunday Mass. I do not consider either to be an adequate solution.

 

Having consulted with the diocese, St Saviour and St Mary of the Angels Finance Committee, and Deacon Tony, I have made the decision that the best solution is to offer you a 9am Mass at Our Lady Star of the Sea from the first Sunday of November until Spring 2025 when the weather is milder, or when the works are completed, whichever is sooner. I must restate here that St Mary of the Angels is a listed Church, and we have a statutory duty to maintain. We are required make the necessary repairs and then, happily, return to a Sunday Mass here at Hooton. I do not think it prudent or necessary for parishioners to freeze when an alternative Church – within our Ellesmere Port and Hooton parish – is available. Some, of course may wish – by necessity or by choice – to attend Mass at Christ the King, Bromborough or St Winefride, Neston, depending on which Church is more proximate. You are free make your own choice in your own circumstances. The costs for these repairs are likely to rise far above the quote for simply replacing the boilers. In addition, you will recall that the pointing at the end Cottage was £22,000, the pending works to the side chapel is in the region of £10,000-£12,000 and this project beginning at £45,000. Almost £80,000 in one year. Whilst St Mary’s is a precious inheritance, it is also a costly legacy. I know that you will understand the complexity of the situation and the steps that I have needed to take to ensure the future of St Mary of the Angels. It will take a few months of disruption, but this will pay-off in – God willing – securing the future of St Mary of the Angels for many decades to come.

 

Thank you in anticipation of your support and forbearance.