Workington Stella Maris
Dedicated to the restoration of Our Lady Star of the Sea and St Michael’s Church, Workington designed by Edward Welby Pugin
WORKINGTON STELLA MARIS GROUP – background
The Workington Stella Maris Project Group was Established in 2016 under the Authority of Canon Paul Swarbrick, now bishop of Lancaster, to prepare and deliver a restoration/repair plan for the church of Our Lady Star of the Sea and St Michael (OLSM), Banklands on behalf of the Parish of the Good Shepherd. The Objective is to strengthen spiritual, emotional and cultural relationships between the church and the wider community.
The group is made up of volunteers who are passionate that the church should not go into decline but be restored to it’s former glory for future generations to enjoy. Fr Philip Connor took over chairmanship of the group early in 2022 and together with Canon John Watson, Ann Diamond as secretary and 4 other Parishioners hope to lead the project to completion. The group contains people from not only catholic community but from the wider community who also share a passion that this beautiful church should not fall into decline and forms part of the heritage of Workington Town.
The Group is supported by Conservation Architect, Dominc Roberts, BA(Hons) DipArch RIBA AABC of Frances Roberts Architects, Preston.
The church is now officially on the “At Risk “ register https://historicengland.org.uk/advice/heritage-at-risk/search-register/list-entry/18969
Challenges are expected with grant applications as the group and the parishioners recover from the affects of the pandemic on our Parish and on society as a whole but we are determined to maintain the sacred space whilst embracing the wider community to share in this beautiful church.
FIFTY CATHOLIC CHURCHES TO SEE BEFORE YOU DIE
A book Title “Fifty Catholic Churches to See Before You Die” was published on 27th September 2020. It includes Our Lady Star of the Sea and St. Michael in Workington. Having our Church included in one of only fifty Catholic Churches from around 3000 in England and Wales says an awful to about the history and quality of this superb building which we are fortunate to have on our door step.
The book can be ordered from Gracewing
Donations to help this restoration of our beautiful church can be made by any of the methods on the donations page