Summer 2019 has seen some major changes at Holy Rosary, Old Roan.  It all began with the problem of how to clean the huge curtain that was the backdrop of the sanctuary?

 

Following discussions with the parish council and a parish open meeting the conclusion was reached that the Church needed a facelift.  After consultations with the Art and Architecture Department and the archdiocesan Surveyors a parish open meeting was held and the following was agreed.

 

A Calvary from St Hugh’s in Wavertree sculpted by the renowned artist Bainbridge Copnall was brought to Holy Rosary.  It had hung in St Hugh’s since the end of the second world war and was left there when the church closed.  Archdiocesan surveyor, Kirk Williams, suggested it would be ideal for Holy Rosary

 

At the same time the Tabernacle was moved from an obscure position where it couldn’t been seen from most of the church, to the centre and a new Tabernacle from St Pius X, Widnes was placed there.

 

There has been an amazing reaction to the changes from parishioners. ‘It is like coming to a new church’; ‘The church is alive again’, and ‘we have a worthy space in which to pray and celebrate.’

 

At the same time one of the goals of the parish is to be more welcoming, especially to families, so from part of the old baptistery (which was used as a Piety Shop) a children’s chapel has been created.  A space where parents can take their children if they need a ‘time out’ and which says loudly, ‘we want you here and you are welcome as part of our parish’.