Starting Point
In 2011 St.Michaels and All Angels a church with marginal congregation numbers held short film viewings for Charlie Chaplin Film Festival. It was clear many church elements were in dis-repair and the fabric was due conservation attention. An organisation was formed and many repair works as well as cemetery clearance. Planning is in place to ad toilet, water, office and other facilities the church never had and commence larger scale restoration in due course. Friends of St.Michaels consider the church a community facility in which to hold, performances, viewings, film events, seminars, talks and wedding ceremonies in Waterville. Initiative also seeks to insure services and ceremonies continue in a consecrated St.Michaels as they have since 1866.
Work to date
To date Friends of St.Michaels have:
- Cleared cemetery
- Refaced entrance door
- Refitted rear Nave and vestry floor
- Replaced vestry door
- Sealed Chancel stone
- restored 19th centaury oil lamps
- Repointed critical exterior stonework
- Restored windows and stained glass at western gable windows.
May 2018
Completion
Proposal
Proposal is to revive St.Michaels place in the community by sensitively re-developing this magnificent mid-19th century gothic church into a facility that has 21 century services and facilities.
Support
On going support is required to realise the ambition to save St.Michaels and develop the church into an valued asset and facility for Waterville. The church, its Architecture and heritage that played a key role in the formation of Waterville will be saved for future generations.
