Sacred Heart Church Semaphore
The beautiful “Church of the Sacred Heart” in Semaphore SA was built in 1914 with the Cornerstone being laid on 1st November 1914. Conservation, reconstruction and beautification work of the Sacred Heart Church was carried out as per the Burra Charter by our team of Adelaide painters using modern day paint finishes.
Preparation work included the sweeping down of walls, repair of minor and major cracks, filling, sanding and plastering. Environmentally friendly Haymes Paints were used in the reconstruction process of the original banner signage and to repaint the interior of the Church. Safe Work Methods and Environmental Sustainability Practices were used throughout the job from start to finish.
Working closely with the priest and parishioners, spiritual significance was integrated into every aspect of the work, including the heritage colour schemes and beautiful decorative finishes, thanks to “The Master Craftsman”.
All our decorative finishes were skilfully hand painted by artisans educated in the decorative arts. Beautification included a hand painted dado, broken colour effects, pin-striping, 22 karat gold leaf, stencils, marbling, wood graining, scumbling, Venetian glaze, copper antiquing, timber repolishing and the artistic conservation and repair work of the “Stations of the Cross”.
The priest, Father Brian, said we were chosen for the job because of our passion for doing the work. The Arch Bishop of Adelaide signed off the contract for the works to proceed. We are now the preferred painters, decorators and artists for the on-going maintenance work of the Sacred Heart Church in Semaphore. See below for Father Brian’s Testimonial as well as photos and information of the stages of work.
Recently Lancaster Painters Australia repainted Sacred Heart Church in Semaphore, South Australia. They were among a list of painters recommended to us by the Port Adelaide Enfield Council as suitable for the type of heritage restoration we were seeking in a painting firm. We eventually engaged Gary Lancaster and his team as we felt they had the best understanding of what we were seeking, and because we found Gary an easy person to work with. We valued his willingness to cooperate and consult. We were also advised that he had the expertise to restore some wording that was special to many of the congregation, but had been painted out in a previous painting.
We were very pleased with our choice. Gary and his team did an excellent job, and were committed to doing their very best. Right from the start they cooperated well with us. We had a requirement that the church be available for worship on Sundays. Amid scaffold and shifted pews the church was always cleaned, and arranged in a way that made Sunday worship possible (and gave the congregation a sense of being part of the renewal process of the building – many spoke of enjoying the experience even though a bit inconvenienced).
We had an idea of the colours we wanted, and we were able to share this with Gary. He then came up with a creative range of possibilities, painted some of these on the walls as samples, and we engaged the congregation in selecting the schemes they preferred. This was a good process, and gave a much better sense of ownership (and pride in it) to the whole congregation. Gary was willing to experiment, and where the colours spoke, to choose them. He also gave insightful suggestions as to ways to improve the appearance of the work. His input into what could be achieved was crucial to the outcome.
A lot of consideration went into the choice (and hand painting) of the frieze around the church. Gary first painted a sample, which people considered. Then gave us a book of samples to explore, from which we chose three, and asked for congregational feedback. Finally we settled on two. Gary procured the stencils for these, put samples of each on the wall, and again we chose the one that now graces the wall. It took a specialist painter a week to do, and all now feel they had a part in its selection.
All through the painting we enjoyed the presence of Gary and his team with us. They were friendly, always had time for the many parishioners who poked a head in to view the progress of the work, and showed respect for the church in which they were painting.
Since the completion of the painting we have had a constant stream of praise for the work. It has transformed the look of the church. Previously it was painted a drab cement colour. It now has a much more pleasant, warmer feel to it, and many of its features have been enhanced by the colours they have been painted.
We are pleased that we engaged Lancaster Painters Australia Pty Ltd to enhance our church. They have done a great job.
Father Brian Angus
Parish Priest
Stages of Work Photos & Information
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