£160,000 lighting upgrade for church
A GRADE Two* Listed church in Widnes from the Victorian era could have fresh lighting installed inside at a cost of £160,000 after permission was sought.
An ecclesiastical consultation has been drawn up and handed to Halton Borough Council for St Michael’s Catholic Church on St Michael’s Road in Ditton.
The church is a Grade Two* Listed building and has ‘important heritage, social and religious value’, a document from the Archdiocese Of Liverpool attached to the application said.
It was built between 1876 and 1879 at a cost of £16,000 for a group of Jesuit priests expelled from Germany by Chancellor Otto von Bismark.
Work proposed at the historic building includes replacing the existing lights in the church nave, crossing, chancel and apse and is designed to address the ‘inadequacy’ of the current system.
A list of issues with the current system are listed in the document.
It said: “The church is very dimly illuminated, the light is patchy and takes very little account of the architectural quality of ● the building.
“The existing light fittings are, in the main, reasonably well positioned. However, they are aged and lamp replacements are difficult to undertake in terms of both availability and access.
“There are frequent failures. At the time of our last visit there were at least a dozen light fittings that required either relamping or repairing.
“The existing light fittings are inefficient.
“There are no lighting controls, only on/off switching.”
Another attachment to the application puts the overall cost of the project of £160,000.
Improvements for changing the system include boosting the light levels, an opportunity to ‘illuminate the magnificent structure’ of the church and make it a ‘more welcoming and enjoyable place to visit’.
Other benefits would include the chance to offer alternate lighting settings depending on the ceremony, and more reliable and efficient light fittings to reduce maintenance problems.
The document added: “St Michael’s is an ambitious and assured work built for the Jesuits by Henry Clutton, one of the leading Victorian designers of Catholic churches.
“The striking and original bell tower is a local landmark.
“The calm and ordered interior provides a dignified liturgical setting.
“The existing lighting system in church is inadequate for the reasons listed above. The proposed works would resolve these problems and significantly enhance the internal environment within church.
“In assessing the possible impact of the proposals for change, the author considers that the historic fabric and significance of the building will not be compromised and that the building would be enhanced by the proposed works.”