That part of the project of restoration is well underway and its progress is witnessed each weekend by curious and eager parishioners. What has been surprising is the bright, almost Victorian-style of coloration u sed by the original artist. Discussion is underway with experts in the painted churches of Texas to try to determine the name of the artist or artists who created this interesting stencil theme. The use of certain colors may be important in discovering authorship. More later as this detective work continues.
On February 5 th, as the wall on the Blessed Mother’s side was being prepared, the suggestion was made by who other than Fr. Ed. to just take a peek behind the paneling around the corner into the sanctuary. With the help of Bill Malek, Deen Miller, and Greg Hill the floor molding was removed and a small crowbar was inserted behind the paneling. As pressure was applied and the paneling lifted, everyone gasped as a red and green color appeared. Revealed were handpainted green drapes with a red and purple trim that had been covered over for many years, but never painted over. They appeared almost as fresh as when originally painted. Needless-to-say, the remaining paneling throughout the sanctuary was carefully removed, continuing to reveal a series of draperies surrounding the main altar. The 1935 photo showed something in this area but what is was could not be determined. Now we knew. The paneling was put up in the Restoration Treasures….continued 2… early ‘90’s by Mr. Steve Burzynski and his sons a t the instruction of Fr. Gene Gillece, pastor at the time. They removed the acoustical-type covering of many years and just installed the paneling. It is believed that the original artwork was covered over initially during the 1960’s. Fr. Ed. remembers Mr. Steve Burzynski talking about the installation of the paneling and saying that ‘the old stuff is still there’. Fr. Ed. presumed that he meant that what was ‘there’ originally was, like much of the other stenciling in the church, ‘there’, but painted over. It never occurred to him that it was literally there to be uncovered. Finding the original drapery paintings makes St. Mary a truly ‘painted’ church, not just an intricately stenciled church. The Texas Historical Commission and the National Trust are being contacted to determine if the church qualifies for those special historical markers, in addition to our present one.
As the paneling was being removed, the stenciling above the draperies were revealed as well as the floral stenciling surrounding the window and going up into the vaulted ceiling. Because the wall behind the main altar will eventually have to be painted [and to provide room to see if there was any stenciling on that wall] the main altar was moved forward 18”. It is remarkable how dramatic just a move of inches made to the perception of the altar. It now seems to breathe and not be crunched up against the back wall of the sanctuary.
A fungus or mole has been detected on a section of the drapery paintings as well as on the painting above the sanctuary of the angels incensing the Lamb. Both will have to be treated sometime in the near future. An examination of the roof and outsides of the church in the sanctuary area is being undertaken.
Stay tuned as the restoration continues. Fr. Ed. has given instruction not to scrape any more surfaces…something else may be found. We’re got to contend with what we discovered so far.
Anyone wishing to make a donation specifically to the Restoration Process is encouraged to do so, and to do so quickly. It seems as if the art treasures of earlier generations are screaming to be uncovered and become part of the life of this community once again.
