THE State Government has announced a $150,000 heritage grant to support the restoration of Bathurst's Catholic cathedral.
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Bathurst MP Paul Toole today said the money would come from the NSW Office of Environment and Heritage to help fund ongoing work on the Cathedral of St Michael and St John.
The money will be provided over two years and will need to be matched by funds raised by the Cathedral parish and the wider Catholic Diocese of Bathurst.
Bishop Michael McKenna welcomed the funding, saying it would help restore "a part of the historic streetscape of the city of Bathurst".
* YOUR SAY: Is a $150,000 state grant for Bathurst's Catholic cathedral money well spent?
The cathedral was listed on the NSW State Heritage Register in 2012, paving the way for the church to apply for state support.
A statement from the Bathurst diocese today said that the Cathedral was in urgent need of repair as the local Catholic community prepares to celebrate its 150th anniversary in 2015.
"The stone and brickwork have aged and serious salt and rising damp problems threaten its foundations," the statement said.
"The restoration project is anticipated to take four years and cost approximately $3 million. The priority of the project is to secure the foundations and restore damaged elements.
"Specialist stonemasons have painstakingly removed the old mortar from between each of the bricks in the bell tower in preparation for repointing, to prevent further water damage, and the replacement of the damaged sandstone with high quality, heritage sandstone has begun.
"A series of videos describing the restoration work can be found on the Cathedral Restoration Appeal web page at www.cathedralappealbathurst.org.au."
The Catholic Diocese of Bathurst, incorporating the Cathedral parish, has launched the
Cathedral Restoration Appeal
to raise funds to repair the cathedral.
An Art Union, to be drawn on November 24, is currently underway as part of the appeal, as well as the sale of commemorative merchandise.
A corporate sponsorship program will be launched in the New Year.
For more details, phone 1800 451 760 or visit their website.
