25 December,2009 09:33 AM IST | | Vivek Sabnis
The 125-year-old Church of the Holy Name at Vetal Pethu00a0 has more than one reason to cheer this Christmas.
The Panch Haud Mission has decided to spend Rs 40 lakh for the restoration of the church as well as the 160-foot high tower, which has eight ringing bells.
Bombay Diocesan Trust Association has donated the amount for the restoration work. Besides, conservation architect Kiran Kalamdani and his wife Anjali have sought the necessary permission from the Archaeological Survey of India to conserve the structure.
Incidentally, the original Panch Haud Mission is the place from where the missionary work started in the 19th century. Kalamdani confessed, "We are happy that we will be responsible for restoring the church."
Kalamdani, who had earlier done conservation work for St Paul's church in Cantonment, said that the most challenging task will be to restore the tower. "We have made an in-depth report which we have submitted to the church," he said.
Manoj Yevlekar, from Society of St John's Evangelist, said that a website will be created soon where details about the church will be uploaded. "As the church is completing 125 years on August 7, 2010, we plan to celebrate the occasion by organising programmes throughout the year."
