By Lindsay Steele
The Catholic Messenger
The Catholic churches in Brooklyn and Victor are receiving makeovers.
Father Corey Close, pastor of St. Patrick Parish in Brooklyn and St. Bridget Parish in Victor, said the parishes began separate capital campaigns in the spring to address cosmetic issues as well as moisture issues.
These illustrations show what the churches in Brooklyn, left, and Victor will look like after interior renovations are completed.
The Brooklyn church carpeting and interior were last updated in the 1970s, Fr. Close said. “There were cracks in the wall, it looked dated. We needed to update.” The parish opted for a “classic look,” with cream, slate and gold paint on the walls and ceiling, deep red carpeting in the nave, and cream-colored vinyl tiling in the sanctuary. Fr. Close noted that this mixed-flooring design is very popular right now. “There is more of a desire to go back to that classic, simple beauty.” Most of this work is completed, with the exception of the carpeting which will be installed later this month.”
The work in Victor should conclude by Thanksgiving, Fr. Close said. The parish is dealing with a massive chimney that has caused water damage over the last 20 years or so. The chimney issues have been addressed, but the walls and paint in the area needed attention. Inspired by the art-deco red and blue interior styling completed in the late 1950s, the parish is updating the look by deepening the color scheme to more earth-toned reds and blues. Brick-colored carpeting in the nave and cream-colored vinyl tiling in the sanctuary will complete the look.
In about two years, the parishes plan to replace their exterior stained glass window protection systems, which were installed in the 1970s. Fr. Close said these systems were popular at the time for protecting windows from vandals, but the system created some unfortunate side effects. “They create a vacuum. They trap moisture and heat and can cause damage to windows and wood.” Newer systems do not have these issues, he said. While the windows in Victor are still in good shape, those in Brooklyn will likely need to be re-leaded. These future projects have been worked into the budgets.
Work is being completed through Conrad Schmitt Studios, Inc. of New Berlin, Wis. The Brooklyn parish needs about $96,000 to complete its $514,000 goal. The Victor parish has about $85,500 to go on its $732,000 campaign. To make a donation, contact Linda at (319) 647-2294 between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. on weekdays.
