Our Needs

Our beautiful, reverent worship space is the focal point and center of our identity. However, both its visible space and hidden infrastructure are worn, outdated, and inadequate.

Infrastructure

Fire Protection

Lighting: our old lighting system in the church ceiling is a potential fire hazard because it is very hot and our pillars and ceiling arch are wood (like Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris).
Sprinklers: we lack a fire sprinkler system to prevent major fire damage or destruction to our worship space.

Heating, Ventilation, & Air Conditioning (HVAC)

Unfinished Upgrade: the 2008 boiler system upgrade was never completed with church air conditioning. The result is an inefficient, ineffective, and now outdated system that doesn’t heat or cool the church adequately.

Sanctuary (Altar Area)

Conflicted layout: the Vatican II Sanctuary changes, designed to move people closer to the altar, interferes with our church’s architectural design and graceful dome.
Sanctuary: the cluttered altar area diffuses focus from the ambo and the main altar.
Altar: our altar is no longer in the centered focal point below the dome.
Obscured View: the dome’s Holy Spirit image and two stained glass windows are obscured.
Liturgical Standards: behind the Sanctuary in the Sacristy, the Sacrarium (the sink used to clean our communion vessels) does not meet liturgical standards and there is no secure space to properly store liturgical vessels, linens, and supplies.

Nave (Worship Space)

Baptistry: the stone font is broken − it leaks and needs constant attention and costly repairs.
Shrine: we lack a Blessed Mother shrine and votive candles.
Organ: the aging organ, located at the front of the church, is out of place, distracting, and undersized.
Stained-Glass Windows: our beautiful and valuable 1920’s-era windows are dirty and in disrepair − in need of the maintenance required to make them last for years to come.
Walls: there are too many areas of damaged plaster and paint that are unsightly, chipping, and flaking.
Pews: made of particle board, our pews are unstable, tend to sag, and need regular reinforcing and repair.
Flooring: the carpeting is worn, tired looking, and dampens the acoustics.
Audio System: our speakers are out-of-date and inadequate for providing clear audio throughout the church.
Reconciliation Chapel: this sacramental space is gloomy, unwelcoming, and uncomfortable.

Entrances
Our worn and damaged entrances do not present an inviting and welcoming impression of our church and faith community

Lighting: the narthex (main entrance) and west entrance lights are damaged.
Water damage: a past roof leak has damaged the main entrance’s ceiling.
Walls, floors, and ceilings: all the entrance walls are cracked, chipped, and peeling and the floors and ceilings are aged and worn.