| Church Interiors - Project #1 - News Article |
Catholic Post - March 2, 2008 issue
 Immaculate Conception Church, Carthage. |
Renovation, renewal in Carthage
By Tom Dermody
CARTHAGE -- Everywhere you look in the newly remodeled Immaculate Conception Church, there is a lesson in faith or generosity.
"It’s a church that teaches," said Father Anthony Trosley, pastor. And while he was speaking of the many new images of religious art in the nearly century old edifice, Father Trosley’s words could also refer to countless examples of faith in action that made the renovation possible -- and visually stunning.
Immaculate Conception Church was rededicated and its new altar consecrated on Feb. 12 during a multi-parish confirmation celebration presided over by Bishop Daniel R. Jenky, CSC.
The celebration capped a $300,000 project that began more than four years ago when Father Trosley and his then assistant, Father Luke Spannagel, became concerned about the deteriorating condition of the church. The priests worked with Michael Berlinger of Heritage Restoration and Design of Peoria to plan "a complete renovation."
During the height of the work, several floors of scaffolding were assembled inside the church and Mass was moved for several months to a former auto sales showroom across Illinois Route 136.
Among the highlights of the renovation are:
- a series of murals on the newly painted walls. Three images of Mary (Immaculate Conception, Annunciation, and Assumption) are depicted above the sanctuary. High on the side walls are symbolic representations of the Apostles, and outlining a newly expanded choir loft are large, circular symbolic depictions of the Gospel writers.
- New altars with Eucharistic symbols including the harvest and fish.
- New woodwork throughout, thanks to the carpentry skills of Father Spannagel’s father, John, of Hidalgo. In addition, parish volunteers re-stained the pews and the wood floor.
- the creation of a reconciliation room and a rest room near the entrance.
Exterior work included a retiling of the roof.
"It was truly a work of the entire parish," said Father Trosley, "and the people are absolutely thrilled" with the results. He especially credited the "inspiration and leadership" of Father Spannagel, who is now an assistant chaplain at St. John’s Catholic Newman Center at the University of Illinois.
Father Trosley also praised the contributions of members of the former St. Mary’s Mission in nearby West Point. Statues, a wooden ambo, and the processional cross from that church, where Masses were suspended a few years ago, were donated to Immaculate Conception Church.
The places of honor given these pieces calls to mind "the grateful assurance that (former members of St. Mary’s) are part of the parish family here," said Father Trosley. In fact, preliminary plans are under way to move the frame St. Mary’s Church to Carthage for use as a parish hall, or perhaps as a perpetual adoration chapel.
Immaculate Conception Church is located across the street from the historic Carthage Jail, known as the site of the murder of Joseph Smith, founder of the Mormon Church. Because of the Mormon influence and tourism in the area, and for evangelization reasons, the decision was made to fill the art with religious symbols. The church has been included on this year’s Carthage Tour of Homes, and visitors are greeted with an explanation of the newly remodeled church and the Catholic faith.
"The whole place is a living instruction in faith," said Father Trosley.
Along with the renewal of the church has been a renewal of the parish community, added the pastor, who resides in Nauvoo and also serves Sacred Heart Parish in Warsaw, assisted now by Father Thomas Szydlik. Immaculate Conception now embraces 150 families, twice the amount of just five years ago.
"These are wonderful churches, and wonderful people," he said, praising them as "generous, hard-working, kind, and understanding."
In addition to the three parishes served by the priests, confirmands attending the Feb. 12 celebration also came from St. Mary’s Church in Hamilton.
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