CONSTRUCTION BEGINS ON JOINT PROJECT

WITH OUR COMPANION DIOCESE:

THE REHABILITATION OF ST. MARY’S HOME,

BRIDGETOWN, BARBADOS

St. Mary’s Church, established in 1827, is located in the heart of the capital city of Bridgetown.  Its location thrusts upon it a ministry in the midst of neighborhood of lower-income residents, unskilled parents and youth, street residents and itinerants, plus a commuting population of city workers and others who do regular business in the city.

St. Mary’s owns a facility in the neighborhood, the St. Mary’s Home, which had fallen into disrepair.  The parish now intends to renovate the structure as a center for skills training, adult day care, and tutorial programs as elements of their Social Care Outreach Ministry.

Bishop Beckwith toured the facility during his visit to Barbados last March.  Later in March, four university students from the Diocese of Springfield made a work-study trip to begin physical work on the rehabilitation.  At our Diocesan Synod in October, they made a presentation about the project, which has been adopted by Bishop Beckwith and our Diocesan Department of National and World Mission as a joint effort with our Companion Diocese.  Once the rehabilitation is complete, St. Mary’s Home will be able to offer programs in several areas:

·        A Supplementary Teaching Program for children who are unable to keep pace in the formal classroom setting.

·        Day-care for the Elderly, with the provision of meals to those who attend, and an extended meal service to those away from the Home.

·        Skills-Training Programs to provide skills for employment.

·        A Safe Place in the Neighborhood for social and recreational events.

So far, we have raised $4,625.00 toward the project, with funds from the offering at the Synod Eucharist, monies raised by our students, and gifts from the Chapel of St. John the Divine, Champaign, Emmanuel Memorial Church, Champaign, St. John’s Church, Naperville (home parish of one of the students who went to Barbados), and Bishop Beckwith.  Estimates from building engineers for the refurbishment total $67,835.00.  This includes a new roof, flooring, windows and doors, partitioning, electrical and plumbing work, painting, fencing, and entrance work.  Specific breakdowns for various elements are attached so that parishes, parish groups, deaneries and individuals can identify elements they would like to fund.  Our students are available to make presentations to parishes and organizations to promote fundraising efforts.  To arrange for a visit, contact Fr. Tim Hallett at thallett@soltec.net

Parishes, organizations, or individuals may commit to elements of the program by contacting Fr. Tony Holder at frtony@stmichaelsofallon.org

ELEMENTS OF THE REFURBISHMENT PROJECT

Flooring                                                                                                                  $7,675.00

            The floor, weakened by rot and insect attacks, must be completely replaced.

            Construction has been undertaken with $4,500.00 raised so far.

Internal Partitions                                                                                                  $9,000.00

            Students removed internal partitions during their visit in March,

preparatory to installation of the new floor.  Masonry enclosures for

toilets and movable partitions for the rest of the space must be provided.

Roof Structure and Covering                                                                                $6,368.00

            The roof must be stripped and re-covered.

Sub-roof and Ceiling Structures                                                                            $1,925.00

            Timber weakened by termites must be replaced and all must be

treated with preservative.

Windows and External Doors                                                                                $7,192.00

                All are defective and must be replaced.

Electrical Work                                                                                                      $6,000.00

Toilet Fixtures, Tiling, and Plumbing                                                                    $3,180.00

Interior and Exterior Painting                                                                               $4,850.00

External Paving and Fencing                                                                                 $9,660.00

Gate for Vehicular Access                                                                                    $1,340.00

Gate for Pedestrian Access                                                                                      $470.00

Remodeling of Entrance                                                                                        $1,540.00

Entrance Preparation and Painting                                                                          $510.00

Removal of Patio Roof                                                                                             $125.00

            (Bishop Beckwith has personally sponsored and funded this item.)

Replacement of Patio Tile Roof                                                                            $7,500.00

Patio Floor Tiling                                                                                                      $490.00

TOTAL                                                                                                                 $67,825.00

Raised to Date                                                                                                     $4,625.00*

REMAINDER TO REACH GOAL                                                                 $63,200.00*

            Our Diocese responded with great generosity to the appeal for housing in Honduras some years ago.  We hope to elicit similar excitement and response for this important project with our Companion Diocese.

* See Bishop’s Letter which shows increased in monies raised.