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ENLARGE
Bonanza Photo - Jen Schmidt The St. Francis of Assisi Church is on schedule for renovations on its 40-year-old structure. It is scheduled to reopen in late May.
St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Incline Village continues to stay on its renovation schedule and will be ready for a re-dedication mass Saturday, May 31. The 40 year-old Catholic Church is receiving a comprehensive interior and exterior renovation that will bring the structure up to code and enhance its spiritual and natural setting overlooking Lake Tahoe.
The existing structure was 11,076 square feet with the total new square footage noted at 12,522. The final investment for this project is estimated at a cost of $4.5 million Š all of which has been donated from parishioners of St. Francis of Assisi as well as visitors to the church.
The renovation was first considered almost five years ago when Father Mike Mahone, the church's previous Pastor, first met with the Pastoral Council to address certain structural issues with the church building.
The existing structure was 11,076 square feet with the total new square footage noted at 12,522. The final investment for this project is estimated at a cost of $4.5 million Š all of which has been donated from parishioners of St. Francis of Assisi as well as visitors to the church.
The renovation was first considered almost five years ago when Father Mike Mahone, the church's previous Pastor, first met with the Pastoral Council to address certain structural issues with the church building.
The project, as it is now defined, addresses those items and is moving the parishioners closer to fulfilling their goal as a parish.
"Our mission statement reflects our desire to gather people, welcoming them into our church. The new structure itself is part of that welcoming process," said current pastor, Father William Nadeau. "Since the beginning of this project, all the parishioners have been invited to share their input concerning the renovation. The building committee has implemented those ideas that lent themselves to creating a prayerful worship space that is communal, spiritual and feasible."
Construction crews working on the church say they haven't been slowed by the cold, snowy weather.
"In-between shoveling, we've made great progress," said Chuck Cecil, construction manager for the project. "In the past few weeks we have finished the frame work for the Porticashare where two large stained glass windows have been installed."
"Our mission statement reflects our desire to gather people, welcoming them into our church. The new structure itself is part of that welcoming process," said current pastor, Father William Nadeau. "Since the beginning of this project, all the parishioners have been invited to share their input concerning the renovation. The building committee has implemented those ideas that lent themselves to creating a prayerful worship space that is communal, spiritual and feasible."
Construction crews working on the church say they haven't been slowed by the cold, snowy weather.
"In-between shoveling, we've made great progress," said Chuck Cecil, construction manager for the project. "In the past few weeks we have finished the frame work for the Porticashare where two large stained glass windows have been installed."
Currently, the church has been splitting it's masses between the Incline High School and The Village Presbyterian Church. Masses are currently being held on Saturdays at 5:00 p.m., and on Sundays at 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. at the IHS theater on Village Boulevard. Weekday Mass occurs each Tuesday through Friday at 9:00 am at The Village Presbyterian Church.
The recent cold temperatures forced construction crews inside which allowed them to focus on interior projects within the church. The crew estimates the church's ceiling will be completed within the week. Electrical work on the first and second floors is done with the church's electrical improvements are 80 percent complete.
"Doors are being installed, roof work is well underway, and the Baptistery should be completed within the week," Cecil said.
One of the more substantial visual outdoor additions is the copper-trimmed bell tower that rises above the new entry to St. Francis.
The recent cold temperatures forced construction crews inside which allowed them to focus on interior projects within the church. The crew estimates the church's ceiling will be completed within the week. Electrical work on the first and second floors is done with the church's electrical improvements are 80 percent complete.
"Doors are being installed, roof work is well underway, and the Baptistery should be completed within the week," Cecil said.
One of the more substantial visual outdoor additions is the copper-trimmed bell tower that rises above the new entry to St. Francis.
Natural woods and stone are being used throughout the church to retain its original mountain feel and tone. Designer Karen Abowd, of Hedwig Ludman Interiors of Reno, has selected beech wood for the ceiling and pews and is using vertical grain fir for all the window casings, doors and trim features. The wainscoting on the walls, created by local woodworker Dave Conklin, incorporates wood from St. Francis' previous altar and lectern.
All of the stained glass, original to the church built by parishioners in 1969, has been restored.
"It's all coming to life," noted Abowd. "When you combine the intricate features, with the spectacular 180 degree views of Lake Tahoe, it's hard not to feel a part of God's creations."
Sacred art that adorned the church in the past will be restored as necessary, and re-installed in the renovated church. The parish is currently seeking information on some of the pieces. "We'd like to know when some of the items were acquired and, if gifted, by whom," said Debbie Larson, Renovation Coordinator. The pieces include Stations of the Cross, wooden Virgin Mary and St. Francis statues, wheat-patterned Tabernacle, the altar and ambo, and the older Tabernacle that is now being used at the High School, where services are temporarily being held. Anyone with information should contact Larson by calling 775-833-9613.
All of the stained glass, original to the church built by parishioners in 1969, has been restored.
"It's all coming to life," noted Abowd. "When you combine the intricate features, with the spectacular 180 degree views of Lake Tahoe, it's hard not to feel a part of God's creations."
Sacred art that adorned the church in the past will be restored as necessary, and re-installed in the renovated church. The parish is currently seeking information on some of the pieces. "We'd like to know when some of the items were acquired and, if gifted, by whom," said Debbie Larson, Renovation Coordinator. The pieces include Stations of the Cross, wooden Virgin Mary and St. Francis statues, wheat-patterned Tabernacle, the altar and ambo, and the older Tabernacle that is now being used at the High School, where services are temporarily being held. Anyone with information should contact Larson by calling 775-833-9613.
