By Józef Łopuszyński


Last Saturday’s Holy Mass at St Mary & St John R.C. Church, Wolverhampton was one of joy and thanksgiving for the work which had taken place to ensure that the church would to be taken off Historic England’s risk register.
The main celebrant was His Grace Archbishop Bernard Longley- read the Homily.

Invited guests included the Architect Stephen Oliver, local MP Eleanor Smith and the Mayor and Mayoress of Wolverhampton who stayed for the reception afterwards in the Parish Hall.

Recently, high level masonry had been crumbling in the 160 year old building, and a section of the church had to be closed off to parishioners due to the danger of falling masonry within the building.

With the help of the Archdiocese's development team, the church secured £241,000 from the Heritage Lottery fund and £20,000 from National Churches fund for an extensive restoration project. The parish was able to raise the extra £45,000 towards the £310,000 required.

The church now also has a new access ramp and glass panels so that people can see inside the church when the doors are shut.

Above: Masonry works completed and integrated with the existing stonework