(Terri Castelaz/Every day Information pics)
ST. MARY CATHOLIC Church in Norway a short while ago reopened immediately after a 3-thirty day period renovation. The Rev. Timothy Ekaitis, pastor of St. Mary Catholic Church, sits in the new white oak pews that characteristic a carved fleur de lis style and design, which is the French image for Mary. The church also set up porcelain tile and new carpeting.
NORWAY — On Christmas Eve, St. Mary Catholic Church in Norway opened its doors for expert services soon after a 3-month renovation.
Design commenced in October, with several church volunteers undertaking the demolition perform.
“It only took two days to take out and dispose of content,” mentioned the Rev. Timothy Ekaitis, pastor of St. Mary Catholic Church. “Many hands make light-weight get the job done.”
The challenge was scheduled about the weddings that had been planned, with the previous 1 in Oct and the very first 1 of the new 12 months using position Saturday, Ekaitis stated.
Two of the big renovations
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(Terri Castelaz/Day by day Information photos)
ST. MARY CATHOLIC Church in Norway lately reopened just after a 3-month renovation. The Rev. Timothy Ekaitis, pastor of St. Mary Catholic Church, sits in the new white oak pews that aspect a carved fleur de lis design and style, which is the French image for Mary. The church also installed porcelain tile and new carpeting.
of the church at 401 Primary St. in Norway incorporated changing the church pews and flooring.
Model-new white oak pews with a carved fleur de lis structure — the French image for Mary — had been put in.
“The pews had been 71 decades outdated and starting to exhibit their age,” Ekaitis stated. “They were being delaminating and had quite a few cracks.”
The pews have been subcontracted out by Dewitt Church Products in Inexperienced Bay, Wis.
Matt Wells laid porcelain tile in the key walkways, with new carpeting under the pews as nicely as the two sacristies, confessional and adoration chapel.
“The carpeting was 28 many years and actually required to go,” Ekaitis reported.
The handicapped entry and elevator, as well as the side stairwell, bought new carpet as well, with new treads on the stairs.
Pete LeFleur constructed and installed a new, wider cupboard where by the tabernacle sits.
This was built more notable to display screen the angels and candelabras, Ekaitis stated.
They also upgraded the lights to more energy-successful styles that will save money.
“We desired to make it a minimal a lot more wonderful in in this article as the residence of God,” Ekaitis said.
Despite a few delays, they have been ready to make deadline, he explained.
“A router that was utilised for the pews experienced broke and then the employees finished up acquiring COVID,” he claimed, adding the pandemic did make the undertaking a bit additional pricey as effectively.
He stressed that parishioners have been amazingly supportive as a result of this rough time. “Well outside of my prayers,” he said. “They get terrific ownership and delight and they donate their time and their treasures.”
The 1928 church has acquired several makeovers through the a long time.
The to start with important renovation came in 1992, with an oak elevation and redo of the sanctuary, together with new altar, sanctuary home furnishings, carpet and refinishing of the pews and some wallpaper and portray.
An elevator was extra in 1999 and in 2003 they upgraded the electrical technique, fixed plaster and totally repainted and adorned the church interior.
The 2018 remodel was finished after they had drinking water problems in the church basement location. They finished up renovating about 10,000 square ft.
The church corridor, now called St. Joseph Middle, routinely hosts a assortment of functions for church customers as effectively as the general public.
They have completed several public situations about the many years as very well, which include the Dickinson County Neighborhood Refrain live shows for Holy Week and serving as a rotating homeless shelter for the Light-weight At the Inn.
“When we redid the rooms in the corridor, they were being ready to maintain in thoughts this services — adding a shower and laundry provider,” he mentioned.
The kitchen and corridor is also utilised for several functions this sort of as Guilt Guild meetings, the Taste of Chocolate event and funeral luncheons.
“People been incredibly generous to donating to initiatives these kinds of as this since they like reinvesting in their church,” Ekaitis reported. “This is actually a gem. For a city the size of Norway, this is an outstanding, beautiful church and is gigantic, when you stop and imagine about how significant the facility definitely is.”
