Following the recent sale of St Michael’s College in Tenbury, a neighbouring church has announced its restoration project as on the cusp of completion.
The renovation of St Michaels Church mirrors sympathetic plans laid out for St Michael’s College, although whilst the college is only entering its first stages, the church is reaching finality.
St Michael’s Church reopening to visitors comes after the abandoned college it borders went up for sale with estate agents Fisher German this January. The college site was only recently confirmed as sold to “a UK company who intend to refurbish and re-open the school next year” by the Councillor for Tenbury Wells Ward, Andrew Willmott, although nothing more on the buyers’ identity was given.
After twelve months of work on St Michael’s Church, its new disabled access received its final non-slip coating on Saturday, August 17, and provides a step-free route from the college drive right through to the nave. The external installation of lighting for darker evenings remains the only job left to complete.
The disabled toilet and galley kitchen occupying what was once the outer vestry are now fully functional, and the nave has been fitted out with conveniences such as double-socket electrical outlets at the base of every column.
Upon looking up, a grim reminder of the destruction inflicted by dry rot upon southern wall of the chancel and the timber vaulting is visible. With hopes for its elimination, Tony Penn, Vice Chair of the Parochial Church Council, feels there will be “much restoration works necessary in the future” and “wonders where the money will come from”.
In the meantime, the Church’s annual programme of music and events continues. On Sunday, August 25, the Choir of St Alban the Martyr, Birmingham will be singing at a Eucharist Service at 11am accompanied by Roger Judd, St. Michaels Organist Emeritus.
The upcoming H-art exhibition, taking place between September 7-15, will see the church's new facilities put to good use for making teas and jacket potatoes. The event will be hosting many familiar faces as well as a few new artists.
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