Public support needed for repairs to landmark religious edifice

Aug 31, 2014 News

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Although there are varying accounts as to how its existence came about, there are however authentic records to substantiate that the Christ Church Parish was dedicated on November 21, 1845.
Situated at Waterloo Street, Georgetown, bordered by Middle and New Market Streets, the religious edifice has been one that has attracted immense favourable attention over the years.

However, exposure to the weather did nothing to preserve the structure which has been described as a “stately wooden building.”
By the early 2000s it was clear that it was deteriorating so much that its walls were visibly beginning to rot, threatening the security of ornate and priceless stained glass windows. Added to this, a lack of proper guttering and drains around the Church created a small lake beneath, further threatening the integrity of the structure.
By 2012, the Church’s Building Committee took the decision to have rehabilitative works be effected.
Understandably the drainage was seen as one of the top priorities which saw the installation of PVC guttering around the roof. Also concrete drains were constructed on the church’s grounds.
The leaking roof of the tower and the western balcony floor were repaired. However after an examination of the entire roof, minor works were carried out to the major section over the congregation while roof and supporting beams over the sanctuary had to be replaced.
Major repairs then commenced to save the stained glass windows.   An informed decision was also made to change the outer walls from wood to concrete which were plastered and rendered to achieve a lap-edged wooden appearance.
Although works were progressing well, a challenge that emerged was the small north eastern stained glass window which had by then shifted.
This warranted the careful removal of the window without disturbing the lead connected pieces of stained glass.  The surrounding frame was repaired; the outer walls were changed before the window was re-installed.                                               Fortunately there was no requirement to remove the large windows on the eastern wall of the church although there was need for the frames to be repaired. The outer wall was however replaced with concrete and the ordinary windows in the Chancery were replaced.   Even as the major repairs were being carried out, the building was treated for a termite infestation while the entire Church was rewired, replacing the hazardous old wiring. New lamps were also installed.
And then there were other works executed on the rotting floor beams and boards.

The structure however, continues to require maintenance.
Moreover, recent repairs were carried out to the tower, pinnacles and the entire front of the church using concrete walls.
A modernized addition to the building was the construction of a wheel chair ramp to allow the church to be opened to a wider audience.
As part of recent efforts too, a programme to replace the pews was introduced.  As such parishioners have been contributing to the cost of the pews and others have been invited to sponsor a pew too.
This level of support a statement from the Church stressed “can be done in memory of a loved one or in thanksgiving for any blessing you wish to recognize.”
An added touch to this programme is that a plaque detailing the contribution is displayed on each sponsored pew.
Moreover, the church has disclosed that the much needed rehabilitation works are made possible through the church’s resources, fund raising and donations.
However, persons interested in contributing to the continued restoration of the church can do so by making contact via its website www.christchurchgy.com, on Facebook or at any Sunday service.
Although “much is left to be done,” it is hoped that all works on the Waterloo Street landmark will be completed by 2015.
And in order to garner additional funds to aid this effort, the church will today be hosting a Curry Que at the Waterloo Street, Republic Bank Sports Club. The event is slated to commence at noon and will serve as a prelude to the October 11, 2014 annual Church fair.
Restoring the church is seen as crucial since according to officials the church has made an invaluable contribution to the Guyanese society and will continue along that path in the future too.
The church it was noted currently exists “in an age which is becoming increasingly secularized and in which, to its detriment, a humanistic faith threatens to obscure and submerge the relevance of the Christian Gospel.” However the church is prepared to tackle what it described as a “disastrous and deleterious challenge” confidently and defiantly, a statement from the church said.

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