The Church’s Patrimony – Honoring our History

While not a familiar word to many of us today, in essence the church’s patrimony may be described as made up of those items and artifacts that have been brought into existence through the gifts and sacrifices of the faithful for the devotional life of the people. To that end during phase one much effort was made to preserve and respect these objects and include them in the updates and improvements.  

Marist Chapel of St. Peter Chanel

There are several examples of this patrimony in the Marist Chapel of St. Peter Chanel. By converting this underutilized space, the long hidden stained-glass windows are now revealed. In addition, the pew used by Mother Teresa, now St. Teresa of Calcutta is placed there along with the restored prie dieux kneelers that were a gift to the church, probably around 1901. The chapel includes a stand for the monstrance, fashioned from the alabaster columns and a marble top from the old tabernacle stand, and the brass front from the old Ambo.

Baptistry and Confessional

The Baptistry and updated Confessional were created by repurposing the cabinetry from the old confessionals, which date from the early 1900’. The Baptistry provides a fitting location for the historic Baptismal font.

Garden Wall and Gate

An additional example of the church’s history or patrimony will be found in the garden wall and gate to be partially constructed from the blackened bricks from the June 4 1978 firebombing of the church and recently recovered during the redecorating. The planning work for this part of the project is underway now and we hope to complete it very soon.

Phase 2

We have now embarked on the second phase of For Such a Time as This, and work is under way in the studios of Conrad Schmitt to create the icons and components that will make up the Triumphal Arch and the Apse ceiling. In addition, in keeping with our architectural history, other planning and preparation work is being done to complete the interior painting, lighting, flooring, and pew replacement, with those operations scheduled to begin in the church itself in early June 2025.

As with all the planning and execution of the Basilica’s restorative redecoration project, during phase two of For Such a Time as This, we will continue to be guided by this goal…

To create a welcoming environment that supports the various liturgies that occur within it, is balanced and appropriate for a Basilica, follows current liturgical guidelines, and respects the history of Sacred Heart.