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Dome of Home - Restoring
our past and building our future
A new film, funded by Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) as
part of the Dome of Home restoration project, will be launched at a special
event, at 1.30pm. on Saturday, 7 November 2015, at The Hollins Hey Hotel in
New Brighton. The film is of great interest to the local and academic
community, and students of history and architecture in particular. This
Grade II listed, Basilica styled landmark, nicknamed by mariners in WWII, is
completing its second phase of works.
Born of the vision of a singularly determined cleric in 1935, the church of
Ss Peter, Paul and St Philomena was rescued from closure in 2012 and has
embarked upon an ambitious series of projects funded by HLF, to breathe life
back into the building. HLF are keen to engage a wider variety of people,
and funded the film to appeal to a professional and student audience.
Historians will be interested in the on going collection of oral histories
from past parishioners within the film showing the development for a once
significant faith community from the mid-20th to early 21st Century. This
collation will ensure an accurate historical record is complied for future
generations. Architecturally, the conservation work to this early, 1930's
built, concrete church is interesting, in view of the comparatively modern,
innovative construction at the time.
The Church is served by a young Roman
Catholic order, the Institute of Christ the King, based in Florence, Italy.
Rector of the church, Canon Montjean, a French man, commented:- "We
are keen to involve students and young people who may seek work in history,
art or architectural fields in the future."
The film will be preceded by 2, 10 minute
presentations; one by Peter de Figueiredo, an eminent, local architectural
historian; and the other detailing the conservation work carried out by
conservation architect, Adrian Swain of IBI Group. There will be an
opportunity to ask questions followed by a tour of the restoration work.
A trailer of the film:- "Dome of Home – Restoring the past and building our
future" can be viewed
here.
Tickets are free of charge and reserved on a 1st come 1st served, basis on
Dome of Home EventBrite
Page.
This project is very much in the hands of a community dedicated to securing
the past history of the place as well as its future, thus indelibly linking
past, present and future. |
