A Parish Restoration - Bringing Back The Altar Rail




Regina Magazine recently profiled my Pastor and my parish.  He led a restoration of our Church, brought back the altar rail...and more.

Pews BEFORE turning
The "choir" pews have been turned to face the altar. The carpet came up, replaced by wood.

Carpet removed
The walls were painted and gilded.

Scaffolding to redo the ceiling
The statues, once whitewashed, now have color.
Father rededicating and blessing our restored statues

The heavy curtains, gone and the return of the altar rail.



It's the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass that is filled with beauty, but these improvements reinvigorate and help frame the beauty of the Mass, lifting our hearts and minds to God.




BEFORE
Old, green carpet & curtains

AFTER



9 comments:

Eva said...

This is interesting, we live in the countryside, and churches around here still have all the high altars and communion rails. They have put in extra altars in front of the high altars. Our pastor offers a Latin Mass every Sunday, He simply pushes the new altars away so he his access to the high altars. Very convenient. Our pews have never been changed.

Barbara said...

What a beautiful transformation! I am praying we see this reversion all over. It can't happen soon enough for me!

Barbara said...

What a beautiful transformation! I am praying we see this reversion all over. It can't happen soon enough for me!

Patty said...

Just beautiful!

Jenny said...

Many prayers for your beloved and holy priest! You know these changes have not come without some opposition against him. You are very blessed!

Nancy Shuman said...

I am nearly crying. Like Barbara, I can say it can't happen soon enough for me, yet in my area I don't see it. I could be sad about that, but I choose instead to rejoice that it IS happening - somewhere (apparently in several places.... thanks be to God!) THANK YOU for sharing this. I might just let myself cry with joy.

Billie Jo said...

A Communion Rail! How very wonderful...

Thank you for sharing!

So beautiful, my friend. : )

Kristen B said...

Now that the choir not longer seems to be up front, where are they located?

Allison said...

You know what, Kristen? I've never seen the choir pews used. Our choir always sings from the choir loft with the organist. ( That's where I usually take my photos)

Now, with the pews turned, one can sit right up front and see more of the beauty of the Mass.

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