“Our goal, as is the goal of many churches today, was to update the church to the 'Modern Liturgical Standards,' and to bring back the architectural character; the best features,†said Architect Paul Bormann of Bormann Eitemiller Architects. Before the renovation, the whole church had been painted over white, and the only distinct characteristic was the terrazzo floor. The addition of three marble pieces, the ambo (podium), the altar and the baptismal font, which were all fabricated from green Verdi Alpi and warm beige Perlato Svevo Italian marble, blended seamlessly with the terrazzo tiles.
“These marble pieces are one step above the marble floor; they hone in the authenticity,†said Bormann. “The Sacraments, the most sacred events of the Catholic Church, are preformed in and on these stone pieces. There is no other material that portrays the authenticity or permanence that is prevalent in the Catholic Religion than marble.â€
The project began under Pastor Marcian O'Meara in 1998 and was completed in 2004 by Pastor Neil Pfister. “Shortly after the unfortunate death of Pastor O'Meara, many initial aspects of the renovation were already finished,†said the architect. “When Pastor Pfister took over, he increased the project. He continued renovations with the ambo and altar in the same vein, yet reflected some of his own character.â€