Demolition Complete - More Complex Work Now Begins
The bulk of the demolition work has now been completed, and the final pieces of the old ceiling are being hauled away. In the photo below, you can see the old circular diffusers for the air handling system. Because everything was painted black, you may not have known that the ceiling was covered with these large circular diffusers through which the air conditioning and heat were delivered.
Preparing For the New Ceiling
The crew has continued to modify the steel roof structure to prepare for the eventual installation of our new ceiling. In the photo below, you can see the shape of the old ceiling against the yellow wall in the form of an elongated "W."
In front of the old yellow wall, you can see the new steel roof structure now in place. Where the old ceiling slanted down and low at two points, the new ceiling will be straight across at the highest point possible, opening up our church space and giving it a lighter, more open feel.
The photo is taken from the top of the scaffolding erected in the three transepts of the church, giving workers easy and safe access to the ceiling area.
Concrete Arrives
The concrete contractor arrived this week to begin pouring the first layer of the new flooring, which will eventually include the new raised altar platform that will sit the traditional three steps up from the main floor.
The concrete was pumped in from the side entrance to the church, as you can see in the photo below.
Accessibility Ramp
The photo above shows the area where the new accessibility ramp will be located. The organ pipes are to the left, covered in protective plastic sheeting. To the right (between the steel columns) is where the back of the new reredos will be located. (The reredos is the large decorative screen against which the tabernacle is placed and where our new paintings of the Crucifixion scene, with Mary and John, will be.) The new ramp will be located between the organ pipes and the back of the reredos, rising and wrapping around, offering access to the sanctuary.
This is the view from the scaffolding of the newly poured concrete. New decorative terrazzo will be poured where the original single-step platform had been, and new marble steps will be installed that rise up to where the new altar will sit.
Keep Praying!
St. Joseph, patron of craftsmen, through your intercession,
may the Holy Spirit guide all who work to renovate our church.
May God provide them the grace to safely transform our sanctuary into a lasting, beautiful, and holy place of worship.
May they experience the presence of Jesus working alongside them,
as surely as you did in Nazareth.
St. Joseph, patron of families and workers,
be with us as we undertake this journey together.
Through Christ Our Lord. Amen.
may the Holy Spirit guide all who work to renovate our church.
May God provide them the grace to safely transform our sanctuary into a lasting, beautiful, and holy place of worship.
May they experience the presence of Jesus working alongside them,
as surely as you did in Nazareth.
St. Joseph, patron of families and workers,
be with us as we undertake this journey together.
Through Christ Our Lord. Amen.
Thank You For Your Generosity!
Thank you to everyone whose gifts are making the renovation and beautification of our church possible!
It's still possible to support our renovation! If you had been hoping to make a gift but hadn't gotten around to it yet, it's not too late! Just follow this link to our website to make a gift, or reach out directly to Jennifer or Trisha on our parish finance team by email or phone (410-647-4884).
God bless you!
Sincerely in Christ,
