Parish Renovation Photos

One of the goals of Holy Rosary Parish as we went through the Legacy for Our Mission archdiocesan capital campaign was to raise funds for renovation work that will help to restore our church building to some of its former glory in time for our 2009 centennial celebration.

Click on each image for a larger version

Completed:

Completed Photo 1

View of the completed church from the altar.

Completed Photo 2

View from the back of the nave looking forward.

Completed Photo 3

View from the choir loft.

Completed Photo 4

One of the twin angel fonts in the rear of the church. These fonts had been in the church many years ago and were saved from destruction by a since-deceased parishioner, whose family graciously returned them to the parish in time for the church's grand reopening on Dec. 14, 2008.

Completed Photo 5

he church was packed at the first Mass in the newly restored church on Dec. 14, 2008.

In progress:

Second September Update 1

When workers removed the domed ceiling in the sanctuary, they discovered sixteen cherub capitals between and at either end of the fifteen stained-glass windows. The cherubs had been damaged during previous renovations, and now we are making an attempt to repair them.

Second September Update 2

Decorative beams are being installed in the nave. Each beam will house spotlights that will shine on the stations of the cross.

Second September Update 3

The dome has been removed in the sanctuary, revealing the wooden framework in the ceiling above the high altar. Inside the circle is a stained-glass skylight which we hope can be restored during this project.

Second September Update 4

The upper section of sandstone in the sanctuary has been covered with drywall.

Second September Update 5

Project supervisor Kevin Bruno of Brandt Construction captured this image of the stained-glass windows above one of the side altars as they briefly saw sunlight before being transported to Fox Studios for cleaning and repair. Each window features a medallion which will be visible for all to see when the work is done.

Second September Update 6

This is the view Msgr. Schaedel would have of the church if he were to celebrate Mass there today. His homilies would be wasted on the attendant scaffolding and other construction equipment!

September Update 1

Upon removing the carpet beneath the pews, we were pleased to discover that the original antique pine hardwood floors appear to be in excellent condition.

September Update 2

Workers have uncovered six stained-glass windows above the side altars. In this picture of the western side of the nave, three of those windows can be seen just below the ceiling above Our Lady's altar.

September Update 3

Seen from atop the scaffolding, these are the three stained-glass windows on the east side of the nave above St. Joseph's altar. The false ceiling which was added to the church during a previous renovation covers the uppermost parts of the windows.

September Update 4

This is the eastern-most stained-glass window above St. Joseph's altar. All of the windows appear to be in very good condition.

September Update 5

The platform upon which our altar most recently set -- as well as the original altar steps -- has been removed from the sanctuary. A new platform, rounded to better fit the church's Romanesque architectural style, will be built.

Upper Church -- 07-30-08

Scaffolding fills the nave and sanctuary of the church on July 30, 2008. In the center of the photo, the black square is a small section of the domed ceiling that was removed. Behind that ceiling are stained-glass windows which will once again see the light of day, just as they did when the church was dedicated in 1925.

Sanctuary Window -- 07-30-08

This is one of the stained-glass windows which were covered up in the 1940s and, in recent decades, have been hidden entirely by the domed ceiling above the altar. The windows were uncovered on July 30, 2008, and subsequently removed for cleaning and repair.

Historical photos:

Michael Egan of Entheos Architects recently offered members our parish the chance to see some sketchs of some of the proposed renovations during two open meetings. (Read Msgr. Schaedel's thoughts on these meetings in the May 6, 2007 bulletin).

Below are some images that Mr. Egan shared -- click on each for a larger image. (Photos and sketches courtesy of Entheos Architects)

Church interior -- 1925