Newspaper Article 1994 – Parishioners happy with church plans

Parishioners happy with church plans

Sacred Heart Church parishioners in Hastings say they are pleased with an architect’s proposal for their new church.

Liaison committee spokesman Peter Giddens said parishioners overwhelmingly endorsed the plans at a meeting at the end of July.

He said the Diocesan Management Advisory Council and Diocesan Liturgical Commission gave approval to proceed with the working drawings earlier this month.

The old church in Heretaunga St was destroyed by fire in 1992.

The new church is expected to cost $1.7-million.

The church will be built on the same site but is expected to take up more area.

Mr Giddens said the main church will seat 400 while a day chapel will have room for a further 60. The old church did not have a separate day chapel.

He said the main worship area will have sloping floors and an adult immersion font.

Napier architect Paris Magdalinos beat 30 architects for the job of designing the church.

At the end of July Mr Magdalinos presented the final design options to the parish for approval.

Of the 240 parishioners that attended there was only one objection, said Mr Giddens.

Tenders for construction will be called later in the year and building will begin in late January-early February, and is expected to be finished by Christmas 1995.

A large pipe organ is being made to fit into the nave.

A painting of the architect’s perspective will be on show at the Hastings library for three weeks from today.

Photo captions –

The new Sacred Heart Church.

The old church which was destroyed by fire.