Repair works under way at Sacred Heart Church

By Wendy Shaw

Sacred Heart Catholic Church at Newstead is currently closed for repairs and renovations.

The 55- year-old octagon-shaped church on the corner of Abbott and Campbell Sts, next to St Thomas More’s Catholic School, closed temporarily at the end of January.

Launceston Parish Priest Fr Shammi Perera said it was hoped that works would be completed in coming weeks.

“It is a touch-and-go thing. Hopefully after Easter the church will be open,” Fr Shammi said.

“It is a safety concern, so you cannot rush things.”

In an update in the Launceston parish newsletter earlier this month, Fr Shammi and Parish Finance Council chair Jason Bresnehan reported: “Work is progressing well on the insured repairs at Sacred Heart Church, Newstead.

“The underlying issue was traced to collapsed clay pipes beneath the church and the fact that, like many buildings of the 1970s era, the church was originally constructed without the level of under-floor ventilation we would expect today.

“Over time, this allowed moisture to build up under the floor, leading to the damage now being repaired.”

The work includes replacing the damaged floor, installing new ventilation, and mould remediation. New vinyl will be laid in the area where the floor was replaced and the vinyl under the pews will receive a deep clean.

In addition, the parish is funding work to replace rubber seals on the large windows and to upgrade the sound system and acoustics.

“These are long-standing concerns raised by parishioners and addressing them now will significantly improve comfort and clarity in the church,” Fr Shammi and Mr Bresnehan reported.

Meanwhile, a new Vigil Mass is taking place at the Church of the Apostles in Margaret St, Launceston.

“In the interim period, from 14 March we are introducing a Vigil Mass at Apostles, with confessions at 5.15pm and then 6 o’clock Mass,” Fr Shammi said.