A CHURCH has chosen Easter weekend to confirm its temporary closure.
St Joseph and St Francis Xavier Roman Catholic Church in Richmond will shut on Monday, April 28, to allow contractors to replace the wiring and install a new heating system.
The £85,000 facelift will include redecoration and the refurbishment of church kneelers.
Until August, when work should be completed, the Richmond congregation will share the St Joan of Arc RC Church at Hipswell, Catterick Garrison, for Saturday Vigil and Mass and Sunday Mass.
Weekday communion services and groups which met in the Day Chapel will be moved to the Old Convent, in Newbiggin in Richmond while the church hall remains unaffected.
Father Kevin Trehy said the restoration project had become quite urgent.
"The heating has certainly been struggling for the last two winters," he said. "I'm quite looking forward to the next few months as it will bring two church communities together."
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