St .Mary’s Church in St. Mary-St. Catherine of Siena Parish is one of the last important works of renowned architect Patrick Keely. St. Mary’s church is a unique structure with many beautiful peculiarities. The restoration efforts at the church intend to restore the original historic color palette in order to establish warmth and repose. When architecture and design function together in fitness, proportion, and harmony the effect on the beholder results in an absence of want and repose of the mind; the visual senses are satisfied.
The whitewashed walls of the current interior are distractingly plain compared to the intricacy of the windows, Stations of the Cross, marble altar pieces and of course, the incredible ceiling. By adding color and depth to the walls of the interior, these features will be properly appreciated.
The mockup is an example of the reinstatement of the original color palette. Through careful investigation of the paint surfaces and analytical research the decorative painters were able to repaint previously restored surfaces and approximate the original appearance of these surfaces. The Stations of the Cross in this section have also been restored. During the restoration process of the Stations, decorative painters will consolidate at areas of flaking paint, repair any damages to plaster frames and figures. The repairs are then inpainted to blend and match existing surface.
This gem of a building is just as immense a gift to the community today as the day they laid the corner stone in 1887. Buildings akin to St. Mary’s are monuments of the Faith that endure the test of time bearing beauty, tradition, history and love. The restoration of St. Mary’s is a testament to this truth. John Canning Co. is honored to work with BCA and the Parish on the restoration of this incredible church.
For more information on John Canning & Co.’s restoration of St. Mary’s, a presentation will be held on Sunday, January 5, 2020 following the 8 am Mass.
Restoration Contractor:
John Canning & Co., Ltd.
150 Commerce Court,
Cheshire, CT 06410
www.johncanningco.com
Restoration Consultant:
Building Conservation Associates, Inc.
10 Langley Road, Suite 202,
Newton Centre, MA 02459
www.bcausa.com
Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord January 4/5, 2020
“You have heard of the stewardship of God’s grace…” This is how Saint Paul begins his letter to the members of the Church at Ephesus in today’s second reading. He proclaims that he, and they, are stewards of the gospel of Jesus Christ, and therefore stewards of God’s loving, unifying and inclusive grace. He also proclaims that the Holy Spirit is at work within each of them, if only they would be open to the Spirit.
Today, our world races by with intolerance, violence, desperate poverty, fear and division. At the beginning of this New Year, perhaps it is appropriate to reflect on Saint Paul’s words and ask ourselves how we can be good stewards of the gospel today.
How will we allow the Holy Spirit to work within us?
How can we be better stewards of Christ’s justice and peace?