AWARD REWARD

When fire swept through St. Anthony’s Church in 2014, nearly destroying the Schenectady landmark, there were questions from some about restoring or even closing the church that was dedicated in 1924.

For Father Richard Carlino, however, there was no doubt that the church would be restored to not only reflect its Italian heritage but its growing Hispanic population.

“We were determined from the get-go (to restore),” said Father Carlino, pastor. “We still have an active community here; we have the Hispanic people here … we were hell-bent to try to get it restored.”

Father Carlino and Office Manager Frank Ranucci spearheaded the restoration — along with the amazing support and donations from parishioners past and present — of the Italian Romanesque Revival church, which also is known for putting on its three-day “Festa” that draws thousands and takes over Seward Place that runs alongside Union College.

“We have a really strong base of committed parishioners here and they supported keeping the church open not only with their voice but in many other ways as well,” Ranucci added.

The stunning restoration was completed in 2016 and recently has garnered international attention as St. Anthony’s received an award for liturgical restoration last year from the Faith & Form journal and the Interfaith Design group of the American Institute of Architects.

“The award really underscores the deep commitment of the parishioners that we have here and it is an acknowledgment of our deep historical grounding here in Schenectady,” Ranucci said, “coming from an Italian heritage church and ... now we are a Spanish-speaking church as well. It is an acknowledgement of all of those things: our longevity, our determination and we can overcome anything.”

Father Carlino used the knowledge and experience of Father Richard S. Vosko, an expert in liturgical design, during the restoration. And it didn’t hurt that Father Carlino has known Father Vosko since the two once lived together in Albany in the 1970s. 

The fire started in the sanctuary, which needed a complete makeover, while Ranucci said they were able to salvage the pews, statues and light fixtures. Other modifications included: new HVAC, lighting, acoustical systems, a new sacristy and an accessible restroom. New murals of Sts. Francis and Juan Diego — to honor the growing Hispanic community — were commissioned and all stenciling — it was Ranucci’s idea to put “With God All Things Are Possible” above the altar — and lettering was restored.

Father Vosko said the “liturgical changes included moving the new custom-designed altar table, ambo and presider’s chair closer to the assembly,” which led to one of the most striking pieces of the redesign: a Eucharistic reservation chapel directly behind the altar in the original apse of the church. This chapel is separated from the nave of the church with a movable wrought-iron screen decorated with gilded Eucharistic symbols, wheat and grapes. Father Carlino said the only time the gates are closed is for the celebration of the Eucharist.

“Thanks to Father Vosko that beautiful gate was put up and I would say that is one of the highlights of the renovation,” Ranucci said.

The other highlight is the custom-designed octagonal baptismal font which is now placed permanently in the center aisle near the front of the church. Ranucci said it used to be on wheels and moved back and forth for baptisms.

Father Vosko said this “liturgical innovation … is located in the midst of the nave along the main aisle to allow for more participation by the assembly during baptisms. It is also there to remind the members of their own initiation into the church.”

Added Ranucci: “Father Vosko did many great things for us, just his wisdom and his ability to foresee the future. One of the features that I like is one of Father Vosko’s ideas. He said when you open the front doors of the church, you should see three things: a welcoming sign, that’s the baptismal, a prayerful sign which is the altar and a sacred sign which is the tabernacle, those three things should all be in line and that really struck a chord with me … that is my most favorite thing of the renovation.”

The award and accolades bring everything full circle — as Ranucci puts it — for this “tiny church on a tiny piece of land that has a big heart.”