Antigua and Barbuda
Anglican Church to Seek Help in Restoring Historic Cathedral
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- Latest Religion Stories
- Thursday, 11 February 2010 10:45
- By CMC
Officials of the Anglican community in Antigua have said they will approach the European Union (EU) for assistance as they seek to raise EC$12 million (US$4.5 million) to restore the historic St John’s Cathedral.
A member of the Cathedral Vestry Board, Valerie Hodge, said that the restoration committee had already dispatched a letter to Prime Minister Baldwin Spencer seeking government’s assistance in raising the funds.
“Through the government, we are getting a proposal ready for the European Union because we are told that there are funds that may be available,” Hodge said.
She said that the costs of the restoration work were handed to the committee by a team of engineers that conducted a detailed study on restoring the 161-year-old edifice that suffered structural damage during an earthquake in 1974.
The Cathedral, which was consecrated in 1848, is a key landmark when sailing into the St. John’s Harbour and has hosted several state functions over the years.
But in December last year, a teacher from the Antigua Girl’s High School fell through the floor of the church during a practice for the school’s annual carol service. On the advice of the engineers the Cathedral was closed soon after that incident as a safety precaution.
“We are going to do everything that needs to be done; of course it will have to be phased but we have taken into consideration all the areas that needed attention, the pews, the floor, the ceiling; all of those things that need attention will be given attention so that we can get back into our beloved cathedral as quickly as possible,” Hodge said.
She added that efforts were in train towards getting the St John’s Cathedral declared as a heritage site.
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3 Comments In This Article
Jim
We Anglicans have given away our legacy here in Antigua for a few silver coins:
(1)The St. Michaels School on Redcliffe Street-property sold to a bank which was strategically located between the east and west bus station so that parents could get a bus to and from the school.
(2)The Hall opposite telephone exchange-now a car park(did anyone know the history of the building-Marcus Garvey gave a speech there)
(3)Build ing the Cultural Centre instead of restoring the Cathedral(Bad move who cares about the culture if you sold the landmarks)
Par t of our tradition was that every wednesday we use to go to the Cathedral for Mass, now the kids are up in Cassada Gardens next to the horse stables-whose great idea was this?
Pianissimo
Begging
Coopin
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