MORE than 40 modern apartments have been built on the site of a former catholic social club which was at the heart of its Irish community in its heyday.
Auxiliary Bishop of Birmingham Father Robert Byrne officially unveiled St Theresa’s Court in Perry Barr this week - a £6million supported housing development which is now home to some of the Irish men and women who once frequented the former club.
John Egan is among the residents now living at the 42 apartment site, which offers a mix of one and two bedroom flats for over 55s with communal facilities and a rooftop garden.
“St Teresa’s Court is amazing – I’ve never been in anything so beautiful before in all my life,” said Mr Egan, who moved in on his 67th birthday.
“I can’t believe I’m living in such a place,” he added, “I love everything about it – my flat is lovely, the kitchen is absolutely beautiful and the roof garden is great.”
Mr Egan, whose family roots lie in Co. Mayo, was among the new residents who came out to enjoy a special launch event at St Teresa’s this week.
There guests were wowed by the transformation of the area, which began in April 2013 on the site of the church’s former social centre.
John EganIn previous decades the St Theresa’s Social Club attracted many Irish parishioners, who enjoyed regular dances and showband nights.
One of the couples who moved into their St Teresa’s Court apartment this month actually met at the former social club, which lay derelict and fell into disrepair in more recent years.
The unique regeneration project is the product of a collaboration between the Midlands-based Trident Group, which provides housing, care and support services to vulnerable people, and Cornerstone Regeneration, a charity which spearheads regeneration projects on behalf of the Catholic Church.
With its links to the church the scheme offers residents the added benefits of “practical, emotional and spiritual support on their doorstep”, Cornerstone Regeneration claims.
