Restoration Appeal Brochure - Saint Wilfrid`s Catholic Church

St Wilfrids Catholic Church, Ripon
Restoration Appeal, 2016
Image: Mosaic Roundel St Wilfrid, by Antonio Salviati of Venice
Contents
The History
Pages 4-7
The Restoration
Pages 8-10
The Appeal
Page 11
2
The Restoration Appeal
for St Wilfrids Catholic Church
President
Rt Rev Marcus Stock, Bishop of Leeds
Vice-Presidents
Rt Rev James Bell, Bishop of Ripon, Rev Canon John Dobson, Dean of Ripon, The Baroness Masham of Ilton, Lady Grantley, Mgr Philip Holroyd,
Mr Michael Abrahams, Mrs Pauline McHardy, Mayor of Ripon,
This special 160 year old building is a hidden gem in the city.
It is a Grade II* listed building with some beautiful features and important history.
As the Catholic community in Ripon we are proud to be the custodians of this
building. We are committed to caring for this precious part of Ripon’s heritage.
The Church is need of extensive renovation. Will you help us?
The Church seen from Coltsgate Hill
3
The History
of St Wilfrids Catholic Church
For three hundred years after the Reformation there was no place of worship for
Roman Catholics in Ripon. Mass was celebrated locally in Bishop Thornton and
Fountains Hall. In the mid-19th century the growing Catholic population in the
area needed their own Church.
Land was purchased on Coltsgate Hill, north of the market place with the help of
Thomas Bradwell, a friend of the parish priest Fr Garstang. The next priest was
Fr Philip Vavasour whose family and friends paid for the building of the Church,
attached residence, and the school. The cost is said to have been £5000.
The finest talent in the land was engaged to design and beautify the Church.
The architect was Joseph Aloysius Hansom who was responsible for many new
Catholic Churches across the country after the Catholic Emancipation Act of
1829. His name may be best known for his design of the Hansom Cab!
The sculptor and designer Edward Pugin, worked with Hanson on the project.
Commemorative Plaque of Heath’s Court Mass Centre
4
The History
of St Wilfrids Catholic Church
On the opening of the Church in 1862 the Ripon and Richmond chronicle described it as a
handsome structure in the Lombardo early decorated style.The central nave is separated
from two side aisles by four arches with supporting pillars and carved capitals. The chancel
is in the form of an apse carried to a great height, also separated from side chapels by
three elegant arches on each side.
The glory of the Church is the high altar in
Caen stone and marble. Above there is raised
a magnificent reredos, designed by Edward
Pugin. It is carved in bold relief showing
scenes from the life of St Wilfrid. At its centre is
an alabaster tabernacle mounted by a pedestal.
The whole is finished with an arcade and spire
supported by delicate marble columns.
High Altar and Chancel from the Nave
Carved Reredos in Caen Stone: Life of St Wilfridave
High the nave are six mosaic medallions of saints. These are by
Antonio Salviati of Venice, Europe’s leading mosaic artist at this time.
5
The History
of St Wilfrids Catholic Church
To commemorate his conversion to the Catholic Faith the Marquis of Ripon donated
the Lady Altar and surrounding stained glass windows to the Church. Its style
matches the design of Pugin’s High Altar
George Robinson, first Marquess of Ripon, was
perhaps the city’s most famous resident in the 19th
century and a great patron of the city. He was
born in 10 Downing Street during his father’s
brief tenure as Prime Minister. He himself was
prominent in national life, serving in several
Liberal administrations. He was for a time Lord
Lieutenant of Ireland and Viceroy of India. In
1874 the British establishment was startled at
his decision to become a Roman Catholic, but
he continued to play a role in national life and
politics. He was a great patron of the city and his
statue stands today in Spa gardens.
Lady Chapel, commemorating Conversion of George Robinson
6
The History
of St Wilfrids Catholic Church
After the death of the Marquess of Ripon in 1909 the altar and statue of
Our Lady of Fountains was translated from his private chapel at Fountains Hall and installed
in the south aisle of St Wilfrid’s.
Many of the fine stained glass windows of saints on both sides of the Church are dedicated
to the memory of the Marquess. They reflect his personal journey to the Catholic faith.
Our Lady of Fountains, translated from Fountains Hall
7
The Restoration
of St Wilfrids Catholic Church
In the last 30 years significant repairs have been carried out to secure the fabric of the building.
These have included extensive roof repairs, replacement of damaged stonework, and most recently
the restoration of all the stained glass windows.
The community of St Wilfrid’s has launched the present Appeal in order to address the renovation
of the interior of the building.
The Chancel Windows. Originally glazed in a diamond
quarry pattern matching the other glazing in the building, the
glazing was badly damaged by movement in the building and
was replaced (temporarily!) with frosted
glass. This detracts severely from the
appearance of the building at its focal
point. The windows are to be restored to
the original lead diamond glazing. Until
this is done the specialist restoration work
to the reredos and altar below cannot be
undertaken.
View of the Pulpit to the Sanctuary
8
The chancel at St Wilfrid’s rises to a great
height within a tower of a design unique
in England. The whole is designed to draw
the eye to the high altar and then upwards
“to heaven”.
Chancel Windows to be restored
The Restoration
of St Wilfrids Catholic Church
Restoration of the Altars. Over the years these beautiful
altars have become dirty and discoloured, and the carvings
have been damaged. When cleaned, restored and carefully lit, their original quality will stand out once again.
The Altar of St Joseph. The altar of St Joseph was
donated by the Hon. Bernard Maxwell in memory of his
first wife. The intricate
stonework is of high
quality. The painting on
mahogany board depicts
the death of St Joseph with
Mary and Jesus by his side.
Ground movement at the
east end of the Church
caused considerable
damage to this altar, as to
other parts of the chancel.
Considerable repair and
restoration work is needed.
St Joseph’s Altar: Maxwell Family
The carved stone reredos designed by Pugin. St Wilfrid
addressing the King of Northumbria. To the right another
panel shows Wilfrid on his death bed surrounded by fellow
monks. The beautiful high relief carving is in need of
specialist cleaning and restoration.
Reredos: Edward Pugin
9
The Restoration
of St Wilfrids Catholic Church
Lighting. The complete re-wiring of the Church and a
The Restoration will achieve
new lighting scheme. The lighting will be designed to
enhance the artistic features of the Church. The new
lighting will enable the architecture of the Church to be
fully appreciated and will enhance its fine features to best
effect. Using modern technology it will also be much more
energy efficient.
•The proper care and maintenance of an important historic building in
the city.
•The preservation of its fine artistic and architectural features.
•Greatly improved access to the heritage of this building for the general
public within the historical context of Ripon and its surrounding areas.
•The continued use of the building for its vibrant community and the
city.
South Entrance. As part of the work, significant
Estimated Cost of Restoration
improvements to the south entrance and the narthex of
the Church are planned. This create a more welcoming
entrance, proper display areas, and better circulation. It
will include installation of a fully accessible lavatory facility.
Church Interior. Finally the interior of the Church,
including the stone arches and columns, will be cleaned
and the building repainted. This was last done over forty
years ago.
The height of the building requires extensive scaffolding
to undertake these works.
10
Re-glazing the Chancel windows in quarry tiling, including scaffolding.
£55,000
Special repair and cleaning of the reredos, and all three altars, including
scaffolding.
£50,000
Re-ordering of the sanctuary with new altar etc.
£15,000
Building alterations at the west end of the porch, toilet, glazed screen, entrance to the car park etc.
£75,000
Associated joinery work for all of the above.
£45,000
Renewed loop and sound system.
£5,000
New lighting and re-wiring.
£40,000
Cleaning the stonework and redecorating, including the scaffolding.
£90,000
Contingency/ External Works
£88,000
Total building cost estimates
£463,000
Professional fees
£37,000
Total
£500,000
The Appeal
for the restoration of St Wilfrids Catholic Church
A target of £500,000 has been set for the Appeal. This allows for a generous contingency amount for unforeseen items and
rising costs. Should this contingency not be needed it will allow us to carry external improvements to the landscaping and
car parking.
You can play a part in preserving this lovely Church with its artistic heritage by being one of our donors.
St Wilfrid’s Catholic community has a reserve fund of £125,600 which will be dedicated to the project.
Several funding bodies are being approached for grant funding with a target of at least £100,000.
The Appeal aims to raise the balance of £274,400
Donations may be in the form of single gifts, from individuals or companies.
Gifts can also be spread over several years. For tax payers and companies the gifts can benefit from tax rebates.
(Potentially £75,000 of the total could be raised by tax benefits).
Example of Gifts which would achieve our target.
Each Month
Each Year
Over 4 Years
Tax Relief at 25%
Total Gift Value
Number of Gifts
Gross Total
£10
£120
£480
£120
£600
19
£11,400
£25
£300
£1,200
£300
£1,500
14
£21,000
£50
£600
£2,400
£600
£3,000
9
£27,000
£100
£1,200
£4,800
£1,200
£6,000
5
£30,000
£250
£3,000
£12,000
£3,000
£15,000
3
£45,000
£500
£6,000
£24,000
£6,000
£30,000
3
£90,000
£50,000
1
£50,000
£106,100
54
£274,400
£935
£11,220
£44,880
£11,220
11
St Anne
The Mission Cross 1868
Shrine Of Our Lady Of Perpetual Succour
Patroness Of The Diocese Of Leeds
The Appeal Committee for the Restoration of St Wilfrids Catholic Church
Mr Barrie Price (Chairman) Mr Tim Jones (Treasurer) Mrs Anne Storey (Secretary)
Mr John McGrath, Mr James Spencer, Mrs Bernadette Barnes, Mrs Mary Jones & Mrs Elizabeth Price
St Wilfrid’s Church, Coltsgate Hill, Ripon, HG4 2AB
www.saintwilfridripon.org.uk
Acknowledgements: Photography: Michael Dunne and Christopher Evans, Text: Philip Holroyd, Design: Rebecca Beadle, Printing: Dalesgate Press Ltd