Reopening of the Church
St Michael & All Angels 2009

After more than 10 years in planning, a year when the Church was closed except for Sunday Mass the Community were delighted to be back in the Church at the end of August for their regular prayer. The Official reopening took place on 29th September. All of it was possible by the generous grant of the Heritage Lottery Fund without which it would have been impossible to do practically anything. Added to that is the generosity of the Belmont Abbey Parish, the Friends of Belmont, other benefactors as well as the contribution of the Belmont Abbey General Trust.

What was done in this period? The fabric of the abbey church had been renewed, in particular the roof and windows have been completely repaired and made weather proof. Everything has been cleaned. There is an entirely new and exciting lighting and electrical system and a new stand-alone heating system. Then there is the new build: at long last a lavatory and wash room, a cleaning room and store room, the glass porch and the beautiful piazza and gathering area leading up to it.

In this Piazza a large crowd gathered for the Official Reopening. Abbot Paul spoke of the new porch being a sign of welcome to visitors, both old and young, where they could be introduced into the story of Belmont Abbey and begin their exploration of the beauty of the abbey church.

It was an opportunity for the Abbot to thank Mrs Jane Alexander and the Heritage Lottery Fund, the architects, builders, lighting and heating engineers and all those who have worked on the project. The title of the project was "Discovering Belmont Abbey," and Jenny Ord, representative of the Heritage Lotttery Fund spoke echoing the Abbot's hopes for the project.

Further work is still to be done. A new website will replace the current one, a new guide book was being produced as well as other materials for visitors such as a triptych, descriptive panels, interactive screen and film. A programme of adult education was being developed. In all this the local community and especially our young people were being be involved.

As an extra project, in memory of Abbot Alan, the organ was being renovated and amplified. This was being financed by a separate fund made up entirely of the donations of many benefactors and friends. The organ should be reinstalled in the New Year and made ready for concerts, recitals and the liturgy by Easter.

All this was coming at a very appropriate time: 2009 and 2010 are significant dates for Belmont, as we are celebrating the 150th anniversary of our building and foundation.