It was a Monday evening ten months ago, in February 2016, when Prince Albert graciously paid a visit to some 40 parishioners of St Paul’s Monte Carlo, at 22 avenue de Grande Bretagne, in support of the church’s elevator appeal, for which the Prince is patron.
His Serene Highness told Monaco Life: “I used to read children’s stories at Christmas [at the church] but not so often now. There is great history with the church and its community and we need to improve accessibility for all community centres and worship centres. I hope the message gets out to help the appeal.”
The cost of the ecologically designed church elevator – which will have a capacity of 8, or 4-5 people with a wheelchair – is estimated at €250,000 and will aid the elderly and those with limited mobility to participate in activities.
Now, after many months of planning and in obtaining official permissions, “jack hammers bit into cement two weeks ago” as work on the St Paul’s Library Lift has begun in earnest, with a working lift in place probable by mid-May 2017.
To celebrate the beginning of the installation work, Samantha Stirling, and her Library Lift Campaign Committee, are organising a cocktail fundraiser Tuesday, December 6, at 6 pm, in the Chaplain’s Apartment, located one floor below the church.
“The cocktail is open to everyone, but it is a fundraiser,” Ms Stirling told Monaco Life. “The lift will provide easier access to the St Paul’s Church Library, which is used by many different groups of people.”
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