Refurbishment of Fisher Hall

Aims of the project
Works
Funding
Photos

Aims of the project

After the Appeal of 2005, Fisher Hall has not been rented out to market traders, so it has been used principally as a chapel. However, after 40 years of wear and tear, the building was becoming increasingly decrepit. The heating system had ceased to function, as had the upstairs toilets, and it was only possible to open the hall's windows by clambering up the sloping roof from the roof garden! More pressingly, there was absolutely no facility for disabled students to gain access to the Library, where most events take place. It was also becoming increasingly difficult to accommodate the number of attendees at Mass on Sundays.

In December 2009, an open meeting of Fisher House members was called to discuss the possibility of refurbishing the hall. It was agreed that refurbishment should be undertaken, improving the aesthetics and acoustics of the chapel, and improving access throughout the building. A new heating system should be installed as part of the building work, and the building's catering and sanitary facilities should also be overhauled.

The Freeland Rees Roberts practice was appointed to carry out the refurbishment, under the direction of a committee consisting of CUCA's President and Treasurer, the Chaplain, the then Chairwoman of the Fisher Society and a qualified architect who would serve as an advisor. The construction was carried out by York Construction Ltd, a local firm that has performed many useful maintenance works around Fisher House on previous occasions.

Works

A new entrance hall and gathering area has been created, opening onto the street through one of the existing arches of that wall. Within the chapel, the sanctuary has been relocated to the end wall, abutting Fisher Square, and the raised stage area has been removed so as to increase the chapel's seating area. A choir loft replaces the old machinery space on the first floor, and the organ has been installed there. The chapel's acoustics have been drastically improved. Our beautiful crucifix and tabernacle have been installed in the sanctuary.

The former small chapel has been restored to its previous incarnation as the Fisher Room, where social and academic events now take place once more. It has a new kitchenette, with fittings donated by a kind member of the congregation. The location of the Fisher Room makes it far more inviting for refreshments after Mass than the previous trek up to the Library.

A new stairlift has been installed on the stairs beyond the Fisher Room, making the Library properly accessible for the first time. New toilets, including two designed for disabled users, have been created too.

The Library has been renovated and repainted, with a new office for the use of the Librarian and others. The old kitchen adjacent to the Library has been kitted out as a laundry, now that an improved kitchen is available downstairs for student use.

The work was carried out between May and September 2011, finishing in time for the return of students in October. A grand opening Mass was celebrated on 30th October 2011 by The Most Rev'd Vincent Nichols, Archbishop of Westminster. Photos, taken by Fiona Paley, are available here.

Throughout the Easter term and Long Vacation, Fisher House was effectively unavailable, and we are deeply grateful to Queens' College, Pembroke College and Trinity Hall for allowing us to use their chapels for Masses throughout the construction works.

Funding

It was expected that the project would have a cost of £550,000, not including furnishing and other fittings. An appeal was launched in the autumn of 2010 to raise this sum, with letters being sent to alumni and to the parents of current students. We are extremely grateful to the many current and former members of CUCA who have supported this appeal.

Although the construction work is complete, we would still appreciate help with the cost of furnishings and other outfitting works. In particular, the new chairs cost £100 each. We are deeply grateful to the members of the congregation who have already donated the price of a chair.

The chart shows the funding of the project at the end of December 2011:

£569.0k has already been spent.

A further £55k of bills are expected.

If you would like to help with the outstanding costs:

Send a cheque payable to Cambridge University Catholic Association to CUCA at Fisher House, Guildhall Street, Cambridge CB2 3NH.
You can donate by credit or debit card online. CAF handles our online donations securely here.
You can set up a standing order to make your donation in smaller installments over a year. For a UK taxpayer, 12 monthly donations of £67 would be worth £1,000 to CUCA. The form can be downloaded here.
Don't forget to fill out a gift aid form, if you're a UK taxpayer. This increases the value of your donation by 25%. The form can be downloaded here.
Please click here for details of other ways to help CUCA.

Photos - Before & After

These photos are courtesy of Dr Damian Crowther.

Photos - Grand Opening Mass

A grand opening Mass was celebrated on 30th October 2011 by The Most Rev'd Vincent Nichols, Archbishop of Westminster. Photos, taken by Fiona Paley, are available here.