AN Athersley church underwent ‘sorely needed’ restoration work on its interior this week.
The restoration of St Helen’s has been underway for a number of months now, and was estimated to cost more than £50,000 in total.
Thanks to fundraising efforts by members of the church, led by Fr Peter Needham, so-called ‘fast deteriorating concrete cancer’ of the building was fixed before Christmas.
The work this week has been focused on the Lady Chapel, which has included replastering, new lighting and boxing-in of pipes.
“It’s great to finally be able to give the Lady Chapel a suitable redecorating,” said Fr Peter.
“We do have problems with the redecorating of the church, due to the quotes from two years ago having doubled, so please pray we can find the shortfall of £10,000.”
The work on the Lady Chapel is expected to be completed today and Fr Peter has asked anyone who is attending mass tomorrow for their help with cleaning up the dust and mess left behind from the work.
