Historic Barn Renovation

Closer analysis on the barn and the attached garage has recently been done. The garage portion of the barn is structurally unsound. At this point, the right thing to do is to demolish it.  Restoring it would cost much more than simply razing it. For years, this garage has been used for various purposes including as a drop off spot for recycling. Unfortunately, that will need to cease for the time being.
Regarding the rest of the barn, a few designs have been recommended by architects.  It seems more prudent to have the museum and gift shop space of the barn as one combined space rather than two smaller ones. The location of the bathrooms has also been modified in light of various considerations including cold weather, the threat of pipes freezing in the winter, etc.

We appreciate all of your support of this momentous project which is steadily increasing our parish’s reach: restoring true charity always from the Sacred Heart of Jesus Christ our Lord.

Thanks to parishioners, the barn has been cleaned out.  We found some very interesting items in there which we are storing elsewhere for the time being.  Stay tuned for more information and please continue to see the parish bulletins for more information.

Today, the historic paintings were transported to the art gallery to be restored.   We have found the 8 paintings, but only 7 of the frames.  If anyone would know where the other frame is, please let the parish know by calling 717-637-2721.

The renovation of the barn should begin around February 23 and be complete by Memorial Day or soon thereafter.

Check out our latest parish bulletin for additional information.

n the coming weeks, the barn will be cleared out- junk will be discarded and valuable objects will be stored elsewhere for the time being.  The actual renovating of the barn should start in the second week of February.  Thank you so much for all of your support.  Remember that all donations to this Capital Campaign will not be assessed by the diocese when they calculate our goal for future diocesan campaigns.  (All other donations including to the Building Fund are assessed.)

Regarding the future of the convent, it seems more and more likely that our parish will need extra parking spaces for the barn and perhaps a pavilion where the convent is now.  We have announced this in previous bulletins, but wanted to remind you.  Our parish could always use a few more parking spaces and a pavilion could be such a game changer for many groups that frequently use our beloved parish’s space.

Soon, we will be transporting the 8 historic 1851 paintings of the Stations of the Cross to a professional art studio for restoration.  The paintings are in dire condition including the one in the Blessed Mother’s Chapel.  The cost to restore them seems more than reasonable.  The one in the worst condition will cost about $4000 and the others around the same cost.  So we estimate a price tag of about $32,000—$35,000 to restore all of them.

This year in particular, watch your donations at work for the preservation of our incredible legacy, the furtherance of our mission, and the enacting of our charism– restoring true charity always from the heart.    AMDG