Preservation Projects

Support our Projects

Please help us continue the preservation efforts at St. Aloysius Church. Your donations make it possible for our church to remain a vibrant part of our community.

2022-2023 Projects

Parish Center Boiler

Over 50-years old. A deposit has been made, but we cannot install until fully paid.

Church Irrigation System

This has been a patchwork for years. Our main line is broken and is not able to be repaired.

Church Landscaping

Due to the overgrowth of bushes and trees, removal must happen in order to install a new irrigation system.

Upper church painting

Paint is chipping all around the upper part of the church, and the metal is rusting.

Spires

Repairs were made in summer after years of snow and rain damage to lock in price.

Parish Center Apartments

These are being renovated with new bathtubs, paint, blinds, flooring, and appliances.

Ongoing Paid Projects

Egress Lighting & signage

Updated to code in case of emergency.

Electrical

Updates throughout the church.

Live Stream Video Equipment

This has been purchased with late winter install scheduled.

Upgraded Speaker System

A new speaker system was installed.

Professional Sound System

A new sound system was installed.

Niches

Small areas where people can stop and pray.

Preservation Efforts Background

Learn more about the background of our preservation efforts from St. Aloysius Preservation Engineer Peter Siposs.

Stained Glass Preservation Project

See the beautiful stained glass windows that are being cleaned, repaired and re-leaded throughout the church.

Stations of the Cross

The Stations of the Cross, in three-dimensional plaster, were made by the Mayers’ Studio of Germany.

This firm was also responsible for the magnificent stained glass windows (25 by 12 feet) flanking the nave, the great rose windows surmounting the east and west balconies, and the smaller niche windows, depicting Jesuit saints and the life of St. Aloysius Gonzaga, positioned around the apse. In recent years, four new windows have been added depicting St. Jude, St. Francis Xavier Cabrini, Mother Teresa of Calcutta and Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha.

The church is open for visitors and for private prayer during daylight hours throughout the year. Brochures providing a self-guided tour are available in the narthex near the main doors and near the Visitors’ Guestbook, and guided tours are scheduled at intervals after the Sunday Masses. Docents can be available for group tours throughout the year by appointment; call 313-7004 to schedule.

The church is open for visitors and for private prayer during daylight hours throughout the year. Brochures providing a self-guided tour are available in the narthex near the main doors and near the Visitors’ Guestbook, and guided tours are scheduled at intervals after the Sunday Masses. Docents can be available for group tours throughout the year by appointment; call 313-7004 to schedule.

The basement of the church, named O’Malley Hall after a loved former Jesuit pastor, provides a warm and hospitable setting for Sunday morning coffee-and-donuts, meetings, socials, educational programs and other parish activities. The hall, seating 100 at round tables, is often made available for family and community events.

Both the church and O’Malley Hall are handicapped accessible. The newly dedicated Antonian Room now provides full access to activities in the Parish Center across the street from the church.

Previous Preservation Projects

Click on the titles to learn more about each project.

Interior Painting
Roof
Skylights
cross.
Cross Lights
Pulpit
Rain Gutter Downspouts
Front Porch & Stairs
Air Conditioning
Bell
Fire Suppression

Additional Projects

The marble statue – weighing about 700lbs – was moved outside and thoroughly scrubbed and cleaned. The detail and clarity were significantly improved. The holy water fonts on the side exits were also cleaned and resealed. Other marble pieces in the church will get the same treatment as weather and time permits.

The mass altar candle stands used for years were narrow and just not large enough for the size of the church. Another set, used long ago for funerals, was found in storage but were painted black. They were stripped of their black paint, disassembled and gold plated. This new yet original set is properly sized with stature worthy of our mass altar. They are quite striking today and being gold will never tarnish nor need polishing. Today they are a prominent feature of the sanctuary.

The granite stairs were slowly collapsing due in part to a faulty rain gutter drain system running through the inside of the stairs. Eventually the stairs were deemed unsafe for use and had to be entirely rebuilt. The stairs were completely disassembled to the ground and rebuilt with a new internal support structure but all of the original exterior granite was reused and the final look is as original. The previous drain pipe was rerouted to avoid a repeat failure in the future. Other brick damage around the church was also repaired at this time.

A boiler steam heating system is still in use today. In the 1960’s it was converted to use natural gas rather the coal. There are still coal shoots visible at the back of the church. A rather complex maze of steam pipes through-out the structure along with many radiators etc are used to provide heating in the church. Among other work completed in 2012 and onward, the system received some large replacement steam piping, a digital schedule timer, water quality monitoring system, and semi-automatic chemical treatment injection. In early 2015 a new larger condensate tank and pump was added along with an automatic fresh water system. Continuous effort is required to keep this much needed, very out-of-view system in working order for the church. Its operation is not only for the comfort of visitors but to protect the church and plumbing from freezing. Much like the air-conditioning system, the heating system is largely out of view and the warmth is simply present.

The wood flooring around the back five 5 Altars was refinished to their original state. The back hallwall near the Altars, as well as the Sacristy and Flower rooms received new carpet.

The Stations of the Cross were not well lit and blended into the shadows somewhat unnoticed. A slight change in the lighting allowed the use of a center flood light while still providing a period feel. Wiring of the fixtures were replaced and during this time the stations were also carefully cleaned but some peeling paint was noticed. Soon after, they were restored one by one. The overall result today is much brighter and enjoyable and the ambient glow of period lights add to the detail.

A Baptismal font was originally in a Baptistry room by itself where the foyer bathroom is today. The font (made of plaster and horse hair) was refinished in 2012 to give the appearance of being made of marble and to provide continuity with the marble altar. It also received a new white bowl for holy water, a new bowl surround to finish the top, and a new lower-to-the-ground and stronger wheeled base. Today it is a sanctuary feature very appropriate to the church and normally in full view in front of Mary’s altar.

The organ with its 2200 pipes continues to be played regularly. Much restoration work such as replacement or service on the many large bellows has already been completed but there is still much more to do.

The rear O’Malley hall entrance to the church had a gravel parking area. The area received brick pavers and nicely compliments the church. New storm drains were also added to the area.

The ability to watch masses and other events from your living room via the internet was created and a recording of the event can be viewed as well online. Masses, homily’s, weddings, funerals, confirmations, musical events etc can all be watched online.

Less visible projects

Among the many largely unseen projects are continuous wiring updating / safety improvements, interior west basement stair repair, sewer drain repairs in basement, and a massive amount of maintenance throughout both the church and the parish office.

Thank you for your support!

The preservation of the church requires dedication and financial support. Without the gracious donations from parishioners, the work would simply not be possible. The 5-year Parish Capital Campaign has recently ended and the St. Aloysius Church Preservation Fund now takes over for the long haul. Much work is still to be completed and your help is greatly needed to see this through. Please consider giving and also consider adding the Preservation fund to your estate planning.