St. Joseph’s restoration is completed except for a few minor details. Rugs need to be found for the foyer, main aisle, and sanctuary. The difficulty is finding a rug the width and length of the main aisle. It is also important that the colors in the rug go with the other colors in the church. The search goes on. When the aisle rug is found, the other rugs can be purchased to compliment it. However, there is no rush. Lighting for the confessional to indicate ‘occuppied/unoccuppied’ is being researched.

St. Mary’s restoration, on the other hand, still has a way to go, though much has been accomplished. Recently, a section of the lower ceiling on the Blessed Mother’s side has been scraped, revealing a large diamond shaped stencil with a filigreed design on each side of the diamond. A stenciled green foliage design wraps around the top of the window, identical to the foliage design found at the top of the window in the sanctuary. Around the diamond, small florets [flower designs] can also be seen. A vague image of this diamond design can be seen in the 1935 photograph between each of the side windows. Small areas of paint in other parts of that particular vault were also removed to find any other designs. None were found. An area of the support beam that runs the length of the church was also scraped and revealed a stenciled design that repeats itself the length of the beam. Stenciling was also found on the nearby pillar.

To make sure the designs were exactly repeated, the lower ceiling vault at St. Joseph’s side altar [in St. Mary Church] will be scraped. If the designs are identical, it will indicate that the lower vaulted ceilings all have this same diamond design and decoration. When this can be determined to the best of our ability, stencils of the different designs of the entire ceiling vault will be made. An area down the interior side of the handicapped entrance door has also been scraped, revealing another type of floret stencil. This same design is believed to trim the window on the opposite side.
Of course, all this takes time and donations.

The remaining area of the Sanctuary ceiling vault will hopefully be under restoration soon after St. Mary’s bazaar. Individuals have come forward for the completion of this important part of the restoration. The yellow area above the painted curtains will be repainted the creamy color one sees behind the stenciling on the side altars. The crenellated design above the curtains will be restenciled, as will the green foliage designs that top the windows and run up into the arches. The blue of the ceiling will be repainted its original robin’s egg blue as seen behind the lamb on the original frieze of 1917. Gold leafed stars will be reintroduced to the ceiling area as seen in the 1935 photograph. The stars will be interspersed among the angels which, though not original, will remain. Many churches have sanctuary ceiling with stars. Not many, if any, have angels like ours.

St. Mary Altar Society is funding the restoration of the lower ceiling vault above St. Joseph’s Altar. Memorial Contributions are coming for the restoration of another lower vault in memory of Deacon Pete. Anyone interested in sponsoring one of the lower ceiling vaults is asked to contact me as soon as possible. The cost will be lessened if several vaults are restored at one time rather than one-at-a-time.

Restoring and maintaining our beautiful and historic structures of St. Mary and St. Joseph is being accomplished with loving care to the rich heritage that has been handed down to us. It may take a lot of time and a lot of money but it is a sacrifice and undertaking well worth the effort.