A Hereford city centre church has installed several solar panels on its roof in a bid to its cut costs and carbon emissions.

Belmont Abbey's new abbot, Father Brendan Thomas OSB, blessed St Francis Xavier Church’s panels at a special roof top commemoration.

Born in Merthyr Tydfil, South Wales in 1964, Abbot Brendan was educated at Belmont Abbey School, and was once a monk at Belmont Abbey for over 35 years. Before his election as Belmont’s 12th abbot on June 4 and his formal blessing as abbot on July 12, Abbot Brendan was parish priest of Broad Street's St Francis Xavier Church.

The abbot very much enjoyed caring for a large, vibrant and diverse parish. "I was honoured to be elected abbot by my community and given the trust to lead them,” he said.

“I will really miss the people of our parish and school as well as the close relationship we have had with Hereford Cathedral.

Abbot Brendan's special rooftop ceremony (Image: Abbot Brendan Thomas)

“However, my new role as abbot means I now have overall care of our parishes in Herefordshire and beyond, so I look forward to maintaining and building on friendships made over the years". It was Abbot Brendan who gave the go ahead for the panels.

Despite an initial outlay of £20,000 for the panels and their installation by HES of Hereford, church secretary John Cook hopes their “big capital investment” can be generated back “within seven years by saving money and power. The panels are unobtrusive and cannot be seen from the street.’ 

The 28 panel-system is expected to generate 11,528 kilowatts of power a year, saving approximately 2,448 kilograms of carbon.

“Solar energy makes good environmental sense and has proved a literal godsend for us,” said Mr Cook. “We aim to keep the church open every day between 8.00 AM and 5.00 PM which means more lighting and heating. Many people drop in for a quiet few moments or to look around. We welcome people from all around the world of all faiths and none.”

St Francis Xavier’s open church idea is proving a hit with visitor numbers on the rise, made possible thanks to its new solar electricity source.