Update as of 29 Mar 2023

The design committee has been working with a well-known design studio that specializes in traditional ecclesiastical design and restoration.  We had a very successful in-person meeting with representatives of the studio and have made recommendations to them for elements that we believe will compliment the predominant Romanesque Revival style of the church.  The studio is currently working on presenting a visual proposal for what the finished product may look like and we should be able to make a presentation to the congregation during Paschaltide.

 

With regards to the building progress, 
the tower reinforcement is complete. We have secured warehouse space for the storage of the altar until the foundation is poured and cured. The HVAC installation is close to being finished. This will help maintain the inside plaster. All of the pews leftover from the occupants before have been donated. We have the ability to work on the floors in due time.

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The church was featured on a walking tour of Historic Springfield. An estimated 40 history lovers and architectural appreciators got a tour of the building and were impressed by the beauty and potential, and grateful a church is occupying the property.

 

Update as of 19 Feb 2023

The work on our new church continues, albeit at a slower pace than what we would like. Lead time on materials and very busy sub-contractors have continued to plague us.

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The HVAC system is being installed and should be completed in several weeks. The electrician will then have to hook up the power so hopefully by mid-March we will have heat and air. The improved duct work on the side walls of the nave should also be covered and finished by then with a plaster coating to blend in with the existing walls. Work continues on the main tower to reinforce the structure and we are close to finishing the work in the interior of the tower. The floors supporting the side altars have been reinforced for the additional weight. We are disposing of the pews. Once done, we will place plywood down to protect the floors and then move the main altar pieces into the nave of the church to have them ready for assembly. We have a structural engineer to design the foundation for the main altar to secure a permit. Once we have a permit we can have a contractor, who has been selected, build the foundation. After that we will have the main altar, side altars and altar rail assembled by professionals.

A design company hired to recommend colors and lighting for the interior of the church has just visited the church and will be making recommendations shortly.

The major work remaining at that point is flooring installation in the sanctuary, refinished flooring in the nave, improved lighting, additional electrical work and painting the interior of the church. Once completed we will have a finished church interior without statues, stations, pews, pictures, and more.

Lastly we will be meeting shortly with an architect who will be doing a master plan on the entire property. If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact me, and in the meantime please pray for our success in finishing the church as expeditiously as possible.

Bill Gulliford, Building Committee          Email: gulliford@usa.com

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Update as of 24 July 2022

• Foundation for the main altar needs to be built. We've had issues with contractors

• Main altar will need to be assembled

• The sanctuary and nave need to be pained

• Floors in the sanctuary will need to be closed in

• Floor in the nave will need to be refinished

• Confessionals need to be soundproofed

• The bathrooms need to have toilets replaced

• New partitions need to be installed

• Bathrooms need some tile work

• Vestibule tile needs to be cleaned and sealed

• The air conditioning needs to be replaced

• The tower has some masonry work and will be fortified by steel

Once we get passed the HVAC and installation of the altar, things should move pretty fast. Updated move in date is the fall of 2023..

 

Update as of 20 June 2022

• Building has been fumigated for termites

• Choir loft steps have been painted

• Men's Room has been plumbed. 

• Women's Room has been plumbed

• Vestibule tile has been cleaned

• Outdoor steps have been painted

• New flooring will go down

• Nave and apse will be painted

• Sanctuary floor was opened up to build pedestal

• Marble altar is in Jax, waiting to be installed

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Much of the work that can be done by volunteers is now complete. The remaining work will be handled by professional contractors. Thank you for all the hard work and generosity. We're well on our way but need your continued support. Please stay tuned for more updates.

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Updates as of 21 May 2022

• Sanctuary - Engineer is drafting plans for mason to lay a foundation. First the footing, then the walls, and then the rest of the foundation will be backfilled. We should have a pedestal to support our new marble altar that weighs 8.5 tons in about two months. The half dome above the altar is being surveyed for decoration.

• Altar Rails - The old altar rails have been removed and are being stored until they find a new home. Does your church need two 100 year old original wooden altar rails? The new marble altar rails will be installed with the new altar.

• Side Altars - No additional foundation is needed to support the weight of the new side altars. Installation will be scheduled for the same week as the main altar. Our Lady and St. Joseph statues need to be acquired.

• Vestibule - The original tile can be saved in the narthex. Professional work will remove the top coat of glue. Next, the tile will be polished and sealed.

• Men's Room - Wall will need to be re-plastered. One urinal and one commode are in working order. One toilet will need extensive plumbing work before its available. Partitions will be added soon.

• Ladies' Room - Vanity, cabinet, and partitions will be installed next month.

• Choir Loft - Carpet removed. Wood floor to be refinished over the next month. New ducts will be opened up to deliver air to choir loft via the balcony rail. New registers are on order.

• Air Conditioning - Ducts under the church will be cleaned and some sections that are collapsed will be replaced.

• Cry Room - Old carpet will be removed and new carpet will be laid down.

• Bell Tower - Repairs are ongoing. We should be able to occupy the church while the work continues. 

• Nave - The floor was swept and will now be ready for professional refinishing after the nave is painted and altars are installed.

• Sacristies - Flooring will be laid down this week in preparation for vesting tables.

• Confessional - Soundproofing tiles and a door were added to the penitent's side. Work still to be done on the priest's side.

• Estimated move-in date is late August . We're well on our way but need your spiritual and financial support. ​

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Update as of 01 May 2022

• Sacristies - We still need to replace some electrical fixtures and flooring. They've been painted and will be furnished soon.

• Tenting - Scheduled for June 08 to eliminate dry wood termites. Minor repairs to flooring pending.

• Windows - Sealed, painted, and replaced. No more leaking. Stained glass will be a future project.

• Main Roof - Will start in about a week to seal the flashing and stop all leaks and fix gutters. Restoration of slate roof will be a future project.

• Cry Room - Painted and new shelves added.

• Confessional - Light has been added, door and sound proofing material to be installed.

• Ladies' Bathroom - Painted. We need to evaluate toilets, partitions, and vanity. Light work needed.

• Men's Bathroom - Disaster area because of water intrusion. Heavy work needed, but should be usable by occupation date.

• HVAC and Duct Work - Life expectancy of one year. Ducts will need to be cleaned and repaired.

• Vestibule - Old carpet removed. Historic tile to be cleaned. Professional painters to finish.

• Sanctuary - Marble main altar, two side altars, and marble altar rails were rescued from a Catholic church closing down in the Bronx. They are being delivered this week and installed in the following months. Foundation for the main and side altar needs to be laid. We will try to save the original tile.

• Choir Loft - Pending paint, carpet removal, with hopes to refinish the hardwood floor underneath.

• Greater Tower - Termite damage and water intrusion. Interior brick needs stabilization. A mason will repair damage to brick and structure with a compound. We will then reinforce it with steel. Once the work is done and the towers are sealed, the tower will be reroofed with slate.

• Lesser Tower - Also to be reroofed with slate. No significant damage. Bells will be a future project.

• Nave Interior - We've made small plaster patches. The nave will be professionally painted in the following month along with the sanctuary.

• Flooring - The floor appears to be Heart Pine and will be beautiful when refinished next month.

• Misc. Items - Front door has been sealed, but now needs paint. Other small items will be addressed that wont prohibit us from occupying the church.

• Estimated move-in date is July or August . We're well on our way but need your spiritual and financial support. ​