STABAT MATER

There has been a lot of research into the details of Project 2017.  Vintage photos were studied, old files were reviewed, and many members of our team took "field trips" to recently restored churches.  The purpose of those visits was to see what worked, what contractors were used, and if there were elements that we should incorporate into our newly remodeled space.  In addition, it has also been a goal to embrace our church's original gothic architecture and to enhance these features wherever we could. 

In deciding how to proceed with our Stations of the Cross, several factors came into play.  We noticed that the original Stations in our church were huge!  They were oil paintings set in a frame and took up a lot of the wall space.  You can see them here in this photo from the turn of the century:

 

Initially we were talking about the possibility finding some antique Stations of the Cross, perhaps from a church that was closing.  But then it came to light that our current Stations of the Cross (along with the Corpus on the altar crucifix and the statues of Mary and Joseph) were hand carved in the Austrian Tyrol.  The Catholic Daughters of America donated the Stations and the altar crucifix in 1959 when they were added to our church.  Recognizing that they are an important part of our church's history, we moved forward to incorporate them. 

 

Conrad Schmitt Studios in New Berlin are working on painting our Stations (which were previously in subtle wood tones) and adding some gilding.  You can see here that it really brings out the beauty of these art pieces!  (Mary, Joseph, and the Corpus from the altar crucifix are getting "colorized" as well!)

 

Additionally, we have contracted with Gunder Church furniture to create a gothic frame for each station.  This was challenging as each station is not EXACTLY the same size!  We wanted to mimic the original stations only on a little smaller scale.  One of the things that was brought to our attention was that people liked to venerate the stations by placing their hand right underneath each one.  This caused a spot on the wall under each station.  We worked with the designer to create a "landing place" on the wood frame to prevent this in the future.  The frame will look something like this:

We're very excited to see that this is all coming together!  Not only will they be beautiful works of art, but they will bridge the past to the future during Lent and beyond.  

 

Why not making the Stations of the Cross part of your Lenten journey?  Stations of the Cross (followed by a simple soup supper) are offered every Friday at 6 p.m. (except for March 17) during Lent throughout our church renovation.  Please join us!