Caledonia Argus

"New" church nears completion

Posted: 7/16/02

by Jane Palen
Managing editor

Members of St. Maryís Church will have the opportunity to see the results of their gifts and sacrifices this weekend when the first masses are held in the newly refurbished church.

It has been a year since work at St. Maryís first began after almost five years of planning and fund-raising.

St. Maryís parish priest, Fr. Don Schmitz, recalls that the first step in taking on the project was to ask the members of the congregation what they thought the needs of the church were.

The results revealed that the perceived needs of the physical church were many and varied. People wanted a link to Holy Family Hall, better lighting, better sound, a crying room, handicapped accessibility, and a restoration of the churchís original beauty. From a liturgical perspective, said Fr. Schmitz, the church needed a gathering area, improved seating, a greater sense of closeness and a space for private prayer.

An architect and liturgical consultant were called in to come up with a plan that addressed the mechanical, electrical, aesthetic, social and liturgical needs of the church. Once the plan was finalized, the church began its capital campaign to finance the project.

One of the major changes is the configuration of the sanctuary. A gathering area has been established near the main entrance of the church. At funerals, this will be used for viewing the body. It will allow interaction before and after services, and be a place for volunteers to sell scrip. Just off the gathering area, a private devotional area has been carved out and three stained glass windows which were rediscovered during the project have been installed. A Pieta, statue of the Virgin Mary cradling the crucified body of Jesus, will be displayed there. It will also be a place where parishioners can light candles and pray privately.

The sanctuary has been shortened and transepts added so that the worshippers are closer to the altar. The pews have been redone, with the original ornately carved ends preserved and the backs and sides replaced for greater comfort. The pews, which are to be installed this week, will be placed further apart than they previously were.

The seating in the transepts is flexible with individual kneelers at each chair, said Fr. Schmitz. Seats can be moved to accommodate wheelchairs.

The seating capacity of the sanctuary will remain the same, and if the gathering area is used, there will be more seating than there was previously, according to Fr. Schmitz.

The stations of the cross are being cleaned and repaired and will be reinstalled when that process is complete.

The exterior stone on the new portion of the church blends well with the old stone for a consistent look. A portico on the south side of the church will allow worshippers to be dropped off during inclement weather. And there is now a hallway that connects the church to Holy Family Hall.

ìAll the people are so excitedî about the refurbishment of the church, said Sr. Michaeline. She commented that the project could not have been completed without the sacrifices and involvement of the parish over the five year period of planning, fund-raising and remodeling.

Fr. Schmitz said a comment he heard recently that sums up the project is, ìYou have a beautiful new church.î

Fr. Schmitz said that both history and tradition will be well-served with the remodeling project.

ìIt is almost like a new church,î he said.

The project is an important step in preserving the legacy of St. Maryís Church for future generations, said Fr. Schmitz.

The people who established the first Catholic community left a legacy, observed Fr. Schmitz.

ìWe are enjoying their legacy today, and we hope that the refurbishment of St. Maryís Church will be our legacy to our children and grandchildren.î

Volunteers began the final clean-up last weekend, and masses will be held this weekend. The first mass will be a wedding on Saturday.

The public is invited to an open house at the church on August 25 from noon to 3 p.m. Refreshments will be served in Holy Family Hall.

The Bishop will officially rededicate the church on September 22.

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