Local Catholic church celebrates restoration
By Brent Frankenhoff
Saint Mary of Mount Carmel – Fancher, established in 1886, reopened after consecrating the new Altar of Sacrifice in early May. The seven-month project updated the space with fresh paint, new drywall, religious paintings, an updated choir loft railing, new carpeting and tile, and more, while also taking care of some long-needed maintenance, including repair of water-damaged arches. The project also refinished many existing pieces, relocated the church’s confessional, and cleared out the remaining parts of a long-defunct organ from the choir loft.
On May 10, Bishop Gerard Battersby of the Diocese of La Crosse celebrated the Dedication Mass for Saint Mary’s Altar of Sacrifice and other restored spaces. He was joined by area clergy for the Mass. During his homily, Bishop Battersby said that the newly renovated space was like a cathedral and compared it to a symphony where all the parts work together in concert.
Father Jerzy Rebacz serves both Saint Mary’s and Saint James in Amherst and told the Spirit that he wanted to “thank our parishioners, as well as many outside contributors for their support of this project.”
Church Interiors, Inc. of North Carolina were the designers of the project in the recommendation of colors, flooring, furnishings, and decorative art. Such local contractors as Ken’s Busy Bee Handyman Service, Bull Welding and Fabrication, Wood Renovators, and Central State Electric were used for this project, and Father Rebacz said that the parish will be working with contractors again when Saint James undergoes renovations in the next year.
Saint Mary’s original 30- x 20-foot church was constructed in 1885 and replaced by a larger frame structure (104 x 40 feet) in 1893. That structure only lasted 11 years, being totally consumed by fire in 1904 and replaced by the current brick building, constructed at a cost of $25,000, in 1906. The church’s last major addition was in 1995, when a new handicap-accessible entrance and restrooms were completed.
Originally part of the Diocese of Green Bay, the parish became part of the Diocese of La Crosse in 1946, when the Diocese of Madison was created and parishes were reallocated between the Dioceses. For more information on the parish and additional pictures from the Dedication Mass, visit the parish’s website at sjsmmc.com.
Bishop Gerard Battersby of the Diocese of La Crosse celebrated the Dedication Mass for Saint Mary’s May 10.