The Goan Voice

Sophie D'Souza behind church's stained glass marvel
31/03/2010
Local artist behind church's stained glass marvel
Mar 31 2010 By James Gates

A CHURCH in Hanwell has reopened its doors after being closed to the public for refurbishment.
Our Lady and St Joseph's Catholic Church in Uxbridge Road was shut for six months but is now open once again, with a brand new circular stained glass window courtesy of local artist Sophie D'Souza.
The extensive works undertaken at the church were the culmination of two years careful planning by the parish priest Canon Bernard Scholes. The proposal and design was the concept of Martin Jarvis, with the project being directed by architects Kyle Smart Associates.
New oak furniture, hand-carved in Poland was installed. Along with a stone floor in the sanctuary with the addition of a specially commissioned limestone altar by Jim Keegan.
Parishioner Gerard Connolly has installed a new sound system, a lighting system has been put in place and the soot blackened pillars and walls have been cleaned and given a fresh coat of paint.
Locals celebrated the reopening of the church and the blessing of the new stained glass window at a mass with Arch Bishop Vincent Nichols on St Josephs Day on March 19.
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