As of last summer, St. Andrew the Apostle Parish in Clifton wasn’t planning to renovate the church. Yet in July, two of its air conditioning units failed. The third unit caused significant water damage to the ceiling in a church section.
An inspection revealed that asbestos needed to be abated in the ceiling. Before repairs were started, the pews had to be removed so large equipment could be brought into the church. This work damaged the flooring. After the carpet was removed, it was found that the boards underneath were moldy and cracked.
St. Andrew’s used the need for critical renovations to make the church more beautiful and Christ-centered. The tabernacle was brought from the left side of the altar to its center. Father Jeider Barraza, St. Andrew’s pastor, also designed a new quartz altar that displays in large letters words from the consecration at Mass, “Do this in remembrance of me.”
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Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney blessed the altar and renovations on March 16 during a 10:30 a.m. Mass. The project also included installing a new ambo and a porcelain floor and placing statues of the Holy Family and St. Andrew in the sanctuary.
The first Mass in the church after the renovations took place on Christmas Eve. During the work, Masses were held in the parish hall in the church basement on weekends and in the chapel on weekdays.
Contributions from parishioners, the contractor, and the altar and ambo builders made the project possible.
“The people are happy with the renovations. The new altar matches the beauty of the rest of the improvements. The tabernacle is in the center. The new paint brightens up the sanctuary, and the tile floors make people feel like they are walking on clouds,” said Father Barraza, adding that the sanctuary previously had dark wood and carpeting.
BEACON PHOTOS | JOE GIGLI
