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In the afternoon of Sunday 30 June we were alerted by a concerned member of the public about some damage done in the churchyard of All Saints'. Father Diego and a churchwarden attended the scene to discover that the stonework covering the entrance to the old boiler room had been partly removed and broken. This silly act of vandalism has made the area potentially unsafe for anyone visiting the churchyard as the stairwell to the boiler room is now partially exposed. This could also be a costly damage to repair. Because of building restrictions on our Grade I listed building, the stones used in 2019 to seal the stairwell were made of Totternhoe cluch, the same material used in the construction and restorations of the parish church since the Middle Ages. Although this material is quarried locally, it needs to be cured for a few months before being cut and set in place by qualified stonemasons. The incident was reported to Bedfordshire police. The Crime reference number is 40/361/35/24. Anyone with further information is welcome to contact the police via the non-emergency service 101.
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On Monday 26 June we had the great pleasure of welcoming Bishop Norman Banks, Bishop of Richborough and Assistant Bishop in the Diocese of St Albans, among us for a service of Confirmation and for the dedication of the altar triptych. Bishop Norman celebrated the Mass and administered the sacrament of Confirmation to six candidates. What is Confirmation? Confirmation is a response to God’s love for us, and a special way of receiving the gifts of the Holy Spirit through prayer and the laying on of the bishop’s hands in preparation for a life of Christian faithfulness and service. Confirmation is also a step of personal faith: the candidates take on for themselves the promises made for them at Baptism, confirming their faith and their membership of the body of Christ, the Church. During the service the altar triptych was formally presented by Mr Terry Payne and dedicated to the glory of God, in memory of Fr Colin Gay, former Assistant Priest in our parish. We are very grateful also to our Town Mayor, Cllr Jimmy Carroll, for attending the dedication. The triptych’s central panel depicts the Lord Jesus Christ in glory with the Blessed Virgin Mary and St John the Evangelist. St George and St John the Baptist are one the right section, St Wilfrid and St Theodore of Amasea on the left panel. The piece was painted by Nechita Laurentiu, a talented Romanian icon writer, using authentic gold leaf. The artist has worked for the Patriarch of the Romanian Orthodox Church, and he has several pieces displayed in UK church. The triptych was commissioned in 2007 for Preston Minster and placed above the high altar, encased between the back riddel posts. However, it was sold off in 2020 and purchased by a parishioner. The Parochial Church Council (PCC) of Houghton Regis has been working tirelessly over the last year to complete two very important project linked to the Restoration and Renewal of the church community and, more specifically, of All Saints' Parish Church. Details of the project are listed below. The first project, to divert surface water away from our Grade I listed building, is very urgent. The fabric of the Parish Church is suffering greatly from the damage caused by rainwater pooling in some place outside the building. This problem has become all the more important to address given the patterns of very wet weather followed by droughts that we have been experiencing. The substantial restoration works carried out in 2019 unfortunately could not include these works - the generous contribution of the National Lottery Heritage Fund secured then did not stretch as far as to cover the drainage works. So far, the PCC has secured half of the money needed for the works with the support of Beds and Herts Historic Churches Trust and others heritage charities. However, All Saints' still needs funds in the region of £35k in order to complete the project. The second project, Reordering of the Sanctuary at All Saints', focuses on the installation of a large triptych above the High Altar. The triptych (images below), depicting Our Lord Jesus Christ in glory, is a gift in memory of Father Colin Gay, former Associate Priest of Houghton Regis. Your financial support will be greatly appreciated, and you can do so by donating online or by sending a cheque payable to All Saints' PCC Houghton Regis to: Restoration and Renewal, Houghton Regis Parish Office St Thomas' Church, Lowry Drive, Houghton Regis, LU5 5SJ. Surface Water Drainage Works (All Saints') Project Description: "Surface water drainage overhaul and improvements - Revised scheme as these works were omitted from the GPOW funded repairs previously granted Faculty under application ref: 181360-1018B" → Plan - Drainage as Existing and Proposed → Works Specifications → Surface Drainage Survey and Report → DAC Notification of Advice Reordering of Sanctuary (All Saints') Project Description: "Installation of painted triptych above the high altar depicting Christ in glory with the saints, and minor reordering of the sanctuary." → Plan - Reordering of High Altar → Statement of Significance → Statement of Need → PCC Resolution The Parish Priest and PCC of Houghton Regis have released new photographs of All Saints’ Parish Church to celebrate the next Heritage Open Day. The photographs show the 15th century ceiling of the Parish Church in unprecedented details. The ceiling features carved figures of saints and decorated bosses. Remnants of the original gilding applied to the figures and of the paint which probably covered the entire ceiling can be seen, giving visitors a glimpse of how striking and colourful the space must have looked in the Middle Ages. The identity of the figures was unknown for decades. Architects and historians visiting All Saints’ guessed these could have been angels (a typical, but rather different feature of medieval church rooves), monks (given the connection between All Saints’ and St Albans’ Abbey), or of saints. This last supposition now appears to be the correct one because, thanks to these new photographs, the figures can be clearly seen as men wearing crowns originally decorated with a cross – crowns represent heavenly reward from Jesus Christ. As Scripture says, “Blessed is anyone who endures temptation. Such a one has stood the test and will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.” (James 1:12) Thus, the figures represent the saints in heaven watching over and shielding those who gather in prayer in the Parish Church. The easternmost portion of the ceiling marks the position of the Rood Screen (or Chancel Screen) in the Middle Ages, and it formed a “Canopy of Honour” above an image of the crucified Christ placed on top of the screen. Traces of gilding and colourful pigments can now be seen. Photos: Father Diego Galanzino Copyright: All Saints' PCC Houghton Regis All Saints’ Parish Church suffered a break-in on Saturday 22 August at about 10:55pm. The incident was caught on the church’s CCTV cameras. The footage shows a single white male in his 20s or 30s forcing two collection boxes and spending about 20 minutes in the building looking for money or valuables. The man gained access to the church by forcing a protection grill and breaking the lower section of a stained-glass window in the sanctuary (north-easternmost window). Another protection grill was also damaged in a failed attempt to gain entry to another part of the church. Collection boxes are emptied regularly, and we can safely assume the man made away with very little cash. However, the damage done the sanctuary window is great, and it will be rather costly to put right. If you wish to donate to All Saints’ please follow this link: https://www.allsaintshr.co.uk/giving.html The incident has been recorded and investigated by Bedfordshire Police, Crime Number 40/45800/20 2019 has been a busy year at All Saints’ with many things for which to give thanks to the Lord. A detailed report of the year will be given to the Parochial Church Council (PCC) and the congregation in due course, but for the moment – as we begin a new year in the Lord’s name – let us look back at the past year with thankful hearts. God is good. Even among the struggles and setbacks we had to face as a community, He has carried us through! Our parish continues to grow, the outside of the All Saints' has been beautifully restored, the back of church has become a flexible space where we can better provide hospitality, a regular study group now meets to learn about the Faith, and Mass is celebrated five days a week (room for improvement there…). Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labour in vain. (Pslam 127:1) Almighty God, Father and Creator of all and source of all goodness and love, look kindly upon us and receive our heartfelt gratitude for our parish. Thank you for all the mercies, graces, and blessings you have bestowed upon us in the past year: perseverance in faith, love for community, commitment to your Church, our volunteers, times of joy and spiritual growth, financial gifs, and religious heritage. Father, in your infinite generosity, grant us increased graces and blessing throughout this new year, that under your tender care and protection we may bring the Love of Jesus Christ to this town. This we ask in the name of Jesus Our Lord. Amen. Our Lady of Walsingham, Pray for us! Saint Thomas Apostle, Pray from us! All Saints of God, Pray for us! We are pleased to report that Central Bedfordshire Council has granted planning permissions to All Saints’ for the construction of the Memorial Path in the churchyard linking Bedford Square gate to the south door of the church. We envisage the new path to become a dignified place of remembrance in the beautiful surroundings of All Saints’ churchyard. To this aim the path will be flanked by memorial plaques (or slabs) which can be sponsored and personalized with the names of loved ones, as well as their years of birth and death. It has been a long time coming, as collection of sponsorship money began in three years ago. The delay has been twofold. First, our planning application had been returned last year because the planning officers wanted more information and more accurate drawing about the project. This has now been approved thanks to the work of our architects – Michael Dales Partnership. Secondly, urgent works of restoration to the fabric of All Saints’ have had to take priority in order to make the building weatherproof once again. These works are currently on the way. We are now seeking again approval from the ecclesiastical authorities, and putting the project out for tender for a second time. If you wish to contribute to this project you can sponsor a memorial plaque today – details on the Memorial Path page.  Major works of restoration to the fabric of All Saints’ Parish Church have begun last month and they are expected to last until December 2019. These works are essential for making the outer wall of the Grade I listed building weather-proof and thus ensuring the conservation of the unique heritage of All Saints’. The striking checkered pattern of All Saints’ is going to be meticulously restored and repointed in many parts by resetting flints and replacing eroded stones with local Totternhoe clunch. Clunch is a type of chalk employed in construction in our area since Roman times, and it is the same type of material that was used in the middle-ages for the construction of Parish Church. Minor internal works will ensure that space at the back of the nave could be used more flexibly – a short length of heating pipes is going to be placed under the floor and the back pews will be relocated or removed. The works are being carried out by Weldon Stone Enterprises of Weldon, Corby – an experienced firm which specializes in restoration and conservation of churches and historical buildings – under the directions of Matthew Stevens of Michael Dales Partnership – a local architects’ practice currently working with over 120 Churches across the diocese of St. Albans, Oxford & Peterborough. The building site and church premises are alarmed, monitored by CCTV, and lit where necessary to deter antisocial behaviour and heritage crime in the churchyard whilst the works are carried out. This is the first substantial project of this type which the Parochial Church Council (PCC) have embarked on since the restoration of the tower in the early 90s. It has been made possible thanks to the support of the National Lottery Heritage Fund which is sponsoring most of the works. Other two charities are also contributing; the All Churches Trust, and Beds and Herts Historic Churches Trust. Houghton Regis Town Council was among the first bodies to donate towards this restoration when it was still being planned back in 2016. Even though this project will total to over £250,000 the PCC is currently seeking further funding for other works linked to this project. For example, a new drainage system needs to be installed (£68,000), and glasswork is in needs of extensive renovation (£80,000). Donations are always gratefully received as All Saints’ does not receive any money from government or the Church of England. There are many ways in which you can support our work and make a lasting difference in the preservation of the heritage of Houghton Regis. Visit our Giving Pages to find out more. Additionally, you can donate online, or send a cheque to Restoration and Renewal, FAO Fr Diego Galanzino SMMS, The Clergy House, Lowry Drive, Houghton Regis, LU5 5SJ  Press Release The Parish Church of All Saints’ has been awarded support by the National Lottery Heritage Fund for its restoration project (Delivery Phase). Made possible by National Lottery players, the project began last year with an initial grant of £25,700 and it now has been awarded full funding for the second phase in the sum of £224,300. This project has a two-fold aim; to make critical repairs to Houghton Regis Parish Church and to engage local people in their exceptional heritage. The first and main part of the project will begin on Monday 3rd June. It aims to carry out essential conservation work to the outside of our Grade I listed building; the outer structure of the church is in desperate need of repair – its striking chequered pattern of flint and Totternhoe stone needing extensive renovation and having been breached in places. The second part of the project will also begin in the coming months. This aims to put in place an educational programme with a number of cultural activities to engage local residents in the unique historical, cultural, and spiritual heritage preserved at All Saints’. The project will involve recruitment and training of volunteers to keep the Parish Church open for tourists and visitors longer during the day, as well as promoting inspiring and interactive visits from our local schools. All Saints’ Parish Church has been listed by Historic England in the Heritage at Risk register since October 2016, and it will continue to be listed in it at least throughout the Delivery Phase. However, support from the National Lottery Heritage Fund is a great boost of confidence and precious financial help for our parish which is currently engaged in a wider Restoration and Renewal Project estimated at an extra £300,000 over the National Lottery support (for example, glasswork conservation alone is estimated to cost £80,000). This is also a great boost of confidence for our town which is already benefitting from the excellent work done at Houghton Hall Park and also supported by the National Lottery. For more information please contact the Parish Priest, Father Diego Galanzino SMMS, or visit our website allsaintshr.co.uk/restoration ENDS Notes to editors Grants for Places of Worship applications are assessed in two rounds. This press release concerns the second round. The Parish Church of All Saints was initially been granted round one development funding of £25,700 by the Heritage Lottery Fund in 2018. About All Saints’ Houghton Regis All Saints’ is the Parish Church of Houghton Regis, in the Diocese of St Albans. The current building, built between 14th and 15th centuries, replaces an earlier church and it is the only listed building in Houghton Regis to be regularly and freely open to the public. More information about the building’s heritage, the parish community, and its tradition can be found on our website. About the National Lottery Heritage Fund Using money raised by the National Lottery, we Inspire, lead and resource the UK’s heritage to create positive and lasting change for people and communities, now and in the future. www.heritagefund.org.uk. Follow @HeritageFundUK on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram and use #NationalLotteryHeritageFund |
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