Parishes plan big renovations

By ANGELA CAVE- | Comments: 0 | Leave a comment

A handful of parish communities throughout the Diocese are undergoing major renovations. St. Vincent de Paul in Albany and Holy Spirit in East Greenbush are two.

St. Vincent's begins work in its sanctuary June 23; Masses will be held at the parish hall through sometime in September. The $800,000 project will replace carpeting, repair water damage on interior walls, install a permanent baptismal font and a restroom, add lighting and reposition the altar closer to the center of the worship space, with a ramp for access.

"One of our goals is to be radically hospitable. Everyone [will now have] equal access to the table and the ambo," said Betsy Rowe-Manning, parish life director. The parish currently sets up a separate altar on the floor for Rev. Leo O'Brien, retired pastor, who now serves as one of St. Vincent's weekend presiders, but has a hard time climbing steps.

The parish's last renovations in 1985 added offices that cut the worship space in half. Now, its 11 a.m. Mass is often standing room only.

"We need more space," Ms. Rowe-Manning said. "Part of this enhancement will increase seating capacity by about 40."

Parishioners raised $550,000 toward the renovations; parish savings will cover the rest. The rededication ceremony will be Nov. 16 - a nod to the Nov. 15, 1885, dedication of the first church building on Morris and Ontario Streets. The current church building was dedicated in 1908.

A third Sunday Mass - at 9:30 a.m. - will be added during the summer to accommodate the smaller, temporary worship space at St. Vincent's.

At Holy Spirit parish in East Greenbush, proposed enhancements will include the addition of "Spirit Hall" to the library at the parish school, as well as plumbing and ventilation improvements in the church, a new roof and fire alarms for the parish house and technology and library improvements for the school.

Spirit Hall will provide space for post-Mass gatherings, retreats, academic learning, faith enrichment and intergenerational faith formation meetings (which often attract 150 to 200 people at a time), as well as other evening meetings. The design would allow for daytime use of the room while maintaining security in the school.

Leaders hope to eventually connect the hall to the church, but plan to at least have a covered walkway. They believe the space will promote unity between the parish and school.

"We're looking at this as a community project," said Kathy Rosenbaum, parish associate.

A planning committee spent about six months gathering input on the project from parishioners, staff, faculty and families. Future plans may improve the school playground, church lighting, the sanctuary and parking, add an elevator and stairs to Spirit Hall and more.

Holy Spirit does not yet have a cost estimate for the renovations. Work will not begin until 2015.[[In-content Ad]]