TRICHY: Twenty-two workers were injured on Monday when they fell from a metal scaffolding which was erected at the St Mary's Cathedral Church at Melapudhur. Labourers were hurt after they fell from a height of over 60 feet as the scaffolding on which they were standing collapsed. The injured are now admitted at the Government Hospital in Trichy.

The injured are mostly migrant labourers from West Bengal. A few are from nearby villages in Trichy district.

The incident occurred at 4.15pm when the labourers were working on the interior designs at the top of the church. The construction of a new church has been ongoing for two years after the demolition of a 173-year-old structure.

A fire and rescue team was deployed to extricate the workers from the debris before they were rushed to the hospital in four ambulances. A Syed Mohammed Shah, divisional forest officer, inspected the entire premises and said no there are no major casualties.

Doctors at the government hospital said workers were being treated for fractures and abrasions. A man who witnessed the incident, Thangaraj S from Viralimalai, said most labourers were wearing safety helmets and thus could escape major injuries despite the fall from a great height.

B Ravishankar, district manager, 108 ambulances, said the GPS system installed in the ambulances also came in handy to reach the spot from Karur with ease. An ambulance that arrived at the hospital with a a patient was soon put to use and sent to ferry all the injured to the hospital.

The famous Melapudhur Church attracts a large number of devotees from the region.

Church authorities said the new structure that is being built is 125 feet high from the ground to the top of the bell. The re-construction is done in such a way that the church will be visible from several places in Trichy.

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22 workers hurt after scaffolding collapses in Trichy

Published: Monday, May 19, 2014, 12:01a.m.

An extended centennial celebration for Transfiguration Roman Catholic Church in West Deer culminated on Sunday with a service that focused on the parish's past, present and future.

The Most Rev. William Winter, a retired bishop of the Diocese of Pittsburgh, led the 100th anniversary Mass, which brought together about 200 parishioners and a few pastors who, at one time or another, were involved with the church.

It was a day that, in the eyes of several parishioners and clergymen, did not seem possible only eight years ago when fire destroyed the parish's Poma Street church. But like Transfiguration's congregation has done on several occasions before and since the fire, the group banded together and found a solution, ultimately opening another church two years later along McKrell Road.

Transfiguration is a family, said Clara Salvi, chairwoman of the church's centennial committee. I'm not sure another parish could have done what we did ... we have risen from the ashes. We are proud of our past and hopeful for the future.

Transfiguration's past elicits from its parishioners a pride that's rooted in overcoming adversity.

Its origins date to the early 20th century, when the people of West Deer successfully petitioned St. Mary of Czestochowa in New Kensington for a pastor to lead their own parish. The area was considered a mission of St. Mary's.

By August 1914, the group founded a church committee and began building their Poma Street church, which they completed two years later. On the 50th anniversary of the church committee's founding, Transfiguration began building a school along McKrell Road.

As things went along smoothly for close to another 50 years, the parish had a major setback in June 2006 when a car parked behind the church caught fire during a morning Mass. The flames spread to the church, eventually causing the roof to collapse.

No one was injured, but the damage to the parish seemed irreparable, according to lifelong parishioner Dorothy Neibar, 78, of West Deer.

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West Deer church concludes centennial celebration, looks forward to the next 100 years

by Leslie Krowchenko DCNN Correspondent

Marple Commissioners voted 5-0, May 12, to grant preliminary and final land development to Springton Lake Presbyterian Church, 3090 Newtown Street Road, for construction of a 5,457-square foot addition. The plan previously received approval from the Planning Commission and Zoning Board.

A much larger expansion was approved in 2002, but at the time, the congregation chose to enlarge only the parking lot. Unlike the former plan, which would have been built along Route 252, the new design is in the rear of the sanctuary and due to the topography, will not be visible from the highway.

The two-story addition, with a basement and first floor, will provide a fellowship hall for social functions, two staff offices, three classrooms, an elevator and handicapped-accessible restrooms. Approximately two-thirds of the new building will have a green roof. Several classrooms and the kitchen will also be renovated in the existing building.

It is smaller and less intrusive than the original proposal, said attorney Mike Maddren. It is environmentally friendly and will have minimal impact.

Swimming Pools

The board voted by the same margin to amend the ordinance regarding swimming pool water discharge to prohibit emptying or draining into the township sanitary or storm sewers, waterways or adjoining properties. The discharge must be done in a way that does not create a health hazard or nuisance to the pool owner, neighbor or township.

The wording for the amendment was taken from the state DEP guidelines and the decision for the change was the result of the agency fining a township in central Pennsylvania after pool water was drained into the sanitary sewer, said Township Manager Tony Hamaday at the boards April meeting. He added pools may be emptied by releasing the water onto the lawn or having a professional company pump it out.

The township must be the educator, he added. We are looking to insure the township does not get hit with a fine because we failed to notify our residents.

Other Business

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Marple approves Springton Lake Church expansion

VALDOSTA CrossPointe Church Pastor David Rogers wanted something different for his summer months.

Last fall, Rogers thought and prayed about a way to have a life-changing experience while changing the lives of others. He turned to a great friend, his church, the community, an in-church film crew. On Tuesday morning, Rogers and friend Bill Hurley will straddle their Harley-Davidsons and turn to the open road.

They embark on the Unseen Project, an ambitious two-month, criss-cross tour of the United States. Rogers explains the premise: Two friends set out on an epic journey to see America the Beautiful but find America the Unseen.

By unseen, Rogers, Hurley and the film crew will seek pockets of poverty, human trafficking, addiction and other troubles within the nation. They will learn more about these issues via human contact while sharing with others through the film project. But they also expect to find threads of faith and a deepening friendship as they travel by motorcycle from city to city and state to state.

Praying for a summer mission, Rogers was inspired by the idea of a nationwide journey. Traveling by motorcycle seemed the natural mode. Rogers has been riding since the age of 7.

Hurley seemed the appropriate partner for this adventure. Employed by Cauthan Construction, Hurley has been riding since the age of 9.

The two men became friends several years ago when the church was located in Remerton. They both say they have much in common. They like to play hard and work hard. They both believe they will see many emotional situations but they will also have fun along the way.

They have enlisted the support of their families and church for the Unseen Project.

Hurley and Rogers have met with various television and movie producers. Led by the churchs creative arts director, J.T. Cheek, a seven-man film crew of church members will accompany Rogers and Hurley. The crew will film the two mens actions. While Hurley and Rogers ride Harleys, the film crew will ride and film travel footage from pace vehicles provided by Cass Burch. The car dealership is one community business supporting the project. Allied Financial is another area sponsor. Spence Parkerson, the churchs worship pastor, has composed music for the project.

The film crew will follow Rogers and Hurley through all 61 stops, from the May 20 start to the scheduled July 19 return, as they travel north to Maine west through upstate New York to Pittsburgh through Ohio to Illinois and Chicago to the Dakotas to Montana then onward to Seattle, south through California, east to Las Vegas further east to Colorado and Denver then through the Rockies, through Texas along the Gulf Coast then home.

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Church ready for America the Unseen

Courtesy photo On Monday more than 25 parishioners with Immaculate Conception Church teamed up to build a temporary fence to secure the church's cemetery after it had be vandalized late last month.

On Monday more than 25 parishioners from Immaculate Conception Church took matters into their own hands to keep their cemetery secure from vandals by gathering together to build a temporary fence in light of recent criminal damage to the church's cemetery.

According to a May 9th Alamogordo Police Department report, grounds caretaker, Jimmy Villabisencio, told police that 11 sprinkler heads were broken and someone damage an irrigation pipe in the cemetery between April 23 and April 26. Villabisencio stated in the report that three rows of barbed wire on the south west fence line of the cemetery grounds were also missing.

Michael Lindsay, priest with ICC, said the APD officers advised them to secure the area to prevent and put up no trespassing signs to prevent future damages to the cemetery in the 1300 block of First Street.

ICC office manager David Gallego estimated the cost to replace the sprinkler heads could be up to $30 each and $175 for the labor.

Lindsay said several parishioners asked how they could help after the recent damage. Father Mike, as his parishioners call him, said he wanted to do something positive and get a group of people who care about their cemetery because it is important to them.

"A number of people were appreciative that we did this," Lindsey said about placing a fence to secure the cemetery.

Gallegos said it took just more than an hour to put up the 623 feet-long temporary fence.

Lindsey said due to the road project to extend Washington Avenue to the new elementary school currently under construction, fences were taken down which left no security for the cemetery. Several parishioners voiced their concerns that the City of Alamogordo never notified the church of construction or removal of the fences.

"We didn't know that they were going to put the construction road in until they cut through the fence and fenced off part of our property," Lindsey said.

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Church members add fence to cemetery

Just before dawn, Father Moses Fredricks smooths plaster in preparation for the fresco painting of the Prophet Joel on the dome at St. Seraphim of Sarov Orthodox Church.

Story by ANN HUTCHINSON / Santa Rosa Correspondent

Photos by BETH SCHLANKER / The Press Democrat

Walking into Saint Seraphim of Sarov Orthodox Christian Church in southeast Santa Rosa is like stepping back in time.

Father Patrick Doolan adds the finishing touches to a fresco painting of the Prophet Elias.

The cross-shaped building is reminiscent of ancient European cathedrals and Eastern Orthodox churches, with pillars, altar and dome. But since July, its center has been filled with modern scaffolding that supports Father Patrick Doolan and Father Moses Fredricks as they fill the dome with a fresco of Christ, angels and prophets.

The monks hope to be finished in late July, completing a project that has taken more than a decade to plan, finance and prepare. Its the most expensive of the frescoes envisioned for the church on Mountain View Avenue.

The fresco project is the largest, and maybe the only, project of its kind in a Christian Orthodox Church in the United States. Just the dome project will cost $112,000, financed with a $50,000 bequest and a fundraising campaign that continues after 15 years.

About 47 smaller frescoes remain on the uncommissioned list, priced at $3,000-$20,000 each.

Fredricks and Doolan have worked on and off since overseeing the first layers of special plaster 10 years ago, taking measurements, drawing sketches and completing many frescoes on the churchs interior walls.

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Monks create Santa Rosa church's new fresco

SFP - Church Construction Presentation (English)

By: GP Villanueva

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SFP - Church Construction Presentation (English) - Video

In the newly renovated First Lutheran Church sanctuary, the Rev. Matt Miller (back, right) and several church members stand around the baptismal font that was designed and built by church members. The entire sanctuary was renovated along with new additions built onto the church in the five-year, $2.1 million project.

Most of the pieces are in place, though the complex project appeared much like a colossal jigsaw puzzle five years ago.

After months of planning and construction, the two-story structure of First Lutheran Church on South State Street now stands as a state-of-the-art masterpiece, from the gleaming new sanctuary floor and polished organ console to the climate-controlled heating system and a stylish, welcoming portico.

And no one could be more proud and pleased than members of First Lutheran, even though the final tab rings up at about $2.1 million.

The church will celebrate with a dedication of the work at its 10:30 a.m. service Sunday. Bishop Leonard Bolick of the North Carolina Lutheran Synod will be the guest speaker. There will be an open house and tours of the facility from 1:30 until 4 p.m. with members of the congregation serving as guides.

"We are really excited," said First Lutheran pastor Matt Miller in regard to the new surroundings. "It means a lot to the congregation. It means having space, and we don't have to worry about the roof leaking."

Prior to the work, the church had no central air conditioning or heating system in its hallways. A climate-controlled heating and air system has been installed.

The original structure was built in 1959 with a parsonage next door. Over the years the parsonage was repurposed, then eventually razed. The new project included renovations as well as additions, and the area of work encompasses the space where the parsonage once stood. The project took place in two phases.

"It was extremely complicated," said Lee Conrad Jr., who serves as renovation chairman for the church. "We had some asbestos and structural problems."

Another challenge during the process was storage space.

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First Lutheran building projects to be dedicated

1m church plans put to Clitheroe congregation

2:51pm Thursday 15th May 2014 in News By Jon Robinson, Reporter

NEW development options that could cost up to 1million have been put to the congregation of a Ribble Valley church that can trace its roots back to the 15th century.

More than 150 people attended a meeting at St Mary Magdalenes Church in Clitheroe to discuss whether to build an extension on to the church to form as a new community centre or to re-order the interior of the church to create more room.

This is the first time that the detailed plans have been put directly to congregation members after being in the pipe line for several months.

A consultation period has now been started and church bosses hope that definite plans will be decided on by September.

Part of the money for the Grade II*-listed Clitheroe Parish Church project will be raised through the sale of the St Marys Centre which is set to be completed by the Lancaster foundation and church reserves.

The congregation would aim to raise the rest of the money while construction was being carried out.

The church has recently finished raising money for covering the costs of repairing the spire which dates back to 1848 after it fell into disrepair.

Rev Andy Froud said: We are looking at securing the church for our childrens children and beyond.

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1m church plans put to Clitheroe congregation

Be inclusive, Catholic Archbishop William Goh urged his congregation, at a time when the Church is undergoing a crisis.

In the latest issue of the Catholic News, the archbishop said young Catholics have stopped going to church.

"How many of your friends have gone to other Christian churches?" he asked.

He said the Catholic Church is full, "thanks to the migrants" who are "giving the impression that the Church is vibrant".

Archbishop Goh also warned against marginalising groups such as LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) people, divorcees and people who have undergone abortions.

"Have compassion for them," he said at a recent meeting to outline his 10-year plan for the archdiocese.

Among those present at the meeting were 750 representatives from Catholic churches here, including some priests.

This is believed to be the first time that Archbishop Goh, who took over a year ago as head of the Catholic Church here, has come out so openly to urge his flock to be tolerant towards groups that traditionally have been shunned by staunch Catholics.

In February, amid a debate between religious groups over a sexuality advisory from the Health Promotion Board (HPB), Archbishop Goh said he was aware some Catholics are struggling to come to terms with their own sexuality or that of their loved ones. He added that the Church "feels with you and views every individual as unique and precious in the eyes of God, regardless of his or her sexual inclination or state of life".

He said he was exploring the establishment of support groups for those "struggling with same-sex attraction" and for their loved ones who have difficulty accepting them.

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Be inclusive: Catholic Archbishop