Parishioners of the Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church are eagerly anticipating the likely completion in December of the newly constructed concrete building after the historical wooden church was completely destroyed by fire eight years ago.
Chairman of the Sacred Heart Church Rebuilding Committee, Ramsay Ali has said from all indications, the church will be completed by December of this year, a release from the Church said. “We are looking at December for the reopening.
As things stand now, we need $20M more for the completion of construction works and an additional $25M for furnishing of the building.” Ali was speaking at the church’s annual cross-bun sale held on Thursday.
The release said that Ali was optimistic that the remaining funds could be acquired in time to ensure the completion of the building by December. A significant portion of the funding came from corporate businesses in Guyana, and donations were also received from parishioners, both in Guyana and abroad.
“The Bishop has agreed that the daily and weekly mid-day mass will be moved from the Brickdam Cathedral to Sacred Heart, when the church is reopened. We will also be able to restart our outreach efforts in the community, which had a positive impact, particularly on children, who benefited from our feeding programme and educational activities,” Ali added.
Several other parishioners also shared their views on what a return to the Main Street place of worship meant for them and the surrounding community.
Melissa De Santos, a member of the church for over 30 years, has been closely involved in the reconstruction efforts. “Notwithstanding all the challenges over the years associated with the reconstruction of the building, we are at a point now where the reopening is merely months away. It will be very nice to have our own home once again,” De Santos said.
Tessa Fraser said she is happy to be returning to the place which has positively impacted her life. “It will feel great to be back together as a family. I was married in the church and was baptised right here. The return to our home will give us the opportunity to continue important activities such as our bible classes, and feeding programme that benefited the neighbouring communities. Weddings, funeral services and so many other activities that members get support for from the church will now once again be able to happen, as we return to our own building,” Fraser pointed out.
Michael Abrams, who was once an altar boy and member of the church’s choir, said he is overjoyed to see the
building in its final stages of construction after the devastation.
“I have been a member of Scared Heart for more than 30 years. I cannot find the words to describe how overwhelmed I am by the rebuilding of the church. I remember rushing down here on the day of the fire, not wanting to believe that it was true, that the building was really on fire. It was a really terrible feeling to see the whole church destroyed. The challenges we faced throughout the reconstruction process was, however, more than worth it. It’s a joyous feeling to be able to return,” Abrams said.
The Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church was completely destroyed on Christmas morning 2004 as a result of a fire reported to be electrical in origin. Sixty five parishioners were in the building when the fire began. All managed to escape unhurt.
The adjoining Sacred Heart Primary School was also destroyed in the fire.
Persons wishing to make donations towards the completion of the church’s reconstruction can do so at the following banks: Republic Bank Guyana: 268-496-7; Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry: CIDA 802530; New Building Society: 134769; Scotiabank Guyana: 10006626.
More information on progress of the reconstruction could be had at the website: www.sacredheart.gy.