Our Lady Star Of The Sea And St. Winefride RC Church
Bull Bay Road, Amlwch. Isle of Anglesey LL68 9ED. 01407 830361
Mair, Seren Y Mor a Santes Wenfrewi. Amlwch. Ynys Mon LL68 9ED
e-mail omi_amlwch@talktalkbusiness.net
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The Church is currently undergoing renovation, and is not yet available for Mass.
Our project is all about the four R's, the rescue, repair, restoration and rehabilitation of a unique Grade II* Listed building. The people of the parish are the custodians of this much loved building and have done all that they can throughout the years to protect it and care for it. Our Lady Star of the Sea and St Winefride is a 20th Century building created for this place, making reference as it does to the heritage of Amlwch, its shipping past and position on the very edge of the Irish Sea. Our Lady Star of the Sea is a treasure, a significant and special Church which is irreplaceable and there have been occasions when despite the very best efforts of all those concerned, there was a distinct possibility that it might fade into obscurity,damaged beyond use.
In 2004 the church of Our Lady Star of the Sea and St. Winefride’s, Amlwch was ‘mothballed’ for Health and Safety reasons. It has long been a reference point for sailors looking for a safe haven in times of storm or tempest. The storms that damaged ships off the northern coastline of Anglesey have battered our Church too. Time and the elements have caused so much damage that this Grade II* Listed building could no longer serve as a house of prayer and worship, its empty hall, beneath, could no longer function as the hub of the community. The parishioners have worked to forge an association of local people and interested parties with a single purpose, namely to raise the funds to repair, restore and maintain this unique Church. It is an historically significant 20th Century building designed by Guiseppe Rinvolucri in the shape of the upturned hull of a boat.
This has been a difficult time to launch such an appeal; a time of recession and belt tightening with ever increasing calls on the public and private purse. Our small community believes that Our Lady Star of the Sea is a treasure, a significant and special Church which is irreplaceable and many leading experts have agreed. The parishioners have remained constant in their desire to raise awareness and save something precious, and we stand on the cusp of making that dream a reality.Thanks to the support of the OMI Trustees, Cadw, Pilgrim Trust, National Churches Trust and the Allchurches Trust are realising that dream; to preserve for our children and their children an architectural gem. These awards are not only generous but also a vote of confidence and support for what we are trying to achieve. The work will see the existing roof coverings replaced; both external and internal walls made good and redecorated; existing floors refurbished and the renovation of existing church steps, front and rear. New lighting/ heating systems will be installed. Existing furniture and fittings restored or renewed and existing doors and windows renovated to their original condition.
This is only the first phase of an ambitious project that will need the support of other funds and donations to complete but it will re-open the doors of this much loved local landmark and restore the house of prayer and welcome to its people.
The key to this project has been about a working partnership between parishioners,Oblates and consultants.The resultant dialogue has created,we believe, a sensible conservation led project that will see this iconic building restored as a piece of important architecture and provides for its future as a "working" building. The parishioners, design team and consevation architect, together with the Oblates: Historic Churches Committee; Anglesey Council Conservation Officer and 20th Century Society have all made contributions to the evolution of our phased approach.
Work began on Monday 21st June 2010 with a revised contract completion date of Friday 5th November 2010
