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s2smodern

One of the busiest roads in Manchester was closed in August to allow the new temporary building for Manchester Universities’ Catholic Chaplaincy to be craned into place. 

The closure of the old building has created the opportunity for a new space to be opened while plans to redevelop the old site are considered. In September, activities recommenced with a reception in the new building which has been decorated with artwork by a recently graduated artist. 

A glass fronted building was chosen to create a welcoming space where the community life of the students would be visible to the thousands of people passing by on Oxford Road. The Catholic Chaplaincy serves the students and staff of Manchester University, Manchester Metropolitan University, and the Royal Northern College of Music, whose combined staff and students' number nearly 100,000 people. Along with Salford, the city has not only the largest student population in the UK but one of the largest in Europe. The building is located directly opposite the Manchester University Student Union and adjacent to Holy Name Church, at the heart of student spiritual life and one of the best loved Catholic Churches in the city. 

Celeste Coury, a graduate in Fine Arts from the Manchester Metropolitan University, was chosen to produce a series of four friezes to decorate the rear and righthand interior walls of the building. These works are themed around the polarity of Cosmos and Apocalypse. Their colours were chosen to harmonize with furnishing; their abstract style to create a space for interpretation and discussion. They resonate with the rebirth of the Chaplaincy after a reduced service during the pandemic. The artist has produced a video about the process of creation which can be viewed here: 

During the day students are welcomed with free tea, coffee and fast Wi-Fi. At night the building is illuminated by the warm glow given out by carefully chosen lighting. It acts as a beacon of welcome and hope to reveal the joy of the Catholic student community. Among the many regular activities of the chaplaincy are the Saturday Walking Club, Tuesday Night Talks, and social events organized by the Catholic Society. Some students also commit themselves to ecology, social justice and the service of the Church through activities such as litter picking, volunteering and becoming ministers of music and liturgy. 

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s2smodern