There was a meeting on 6 October with the insurance companies and their experts, and it seems that things are moving forward, thanks to the city of Lille. We can’t stress enough how grateful we are for their continued support. Things are moving forward.
Most encouragingly, we had a very supportive letter from the Town Councillor, M Julien Poix, who has responsibility for Lille heritage. and you can read this here.
You will see that the city of Lille will have to pay out some €150 000 in works, and there will be some major costs to Christ Church too, not all covered by insurance. The Town Hall will ensure that the organ is cleaned and they are also having a new altar designed and made.
Decontamination will need scaffolding up to the roof space, and will take some two weeks, we believe. After that, the repairs can start: works depend on availabilities of the companies involved, but as we said, there is so much good will and intention to re-open the church, we are very grateful.
We hope and pray that we will be able to celebrate Easter in our church building. Please support us, firstly by continuing to attend services in our temporary home, then by your prayers and messages and indeed, if possible, your financial support to our Fire Fund, for everything not covered by the insurance.
We are the people, not the building, and we are so glad to know we have so many friends, thank you.