TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Renovation To Renew, Refresh Church Nears Completion

Nativity Catholic Church will be rededicated at a Palm Sunday vigil Mass at 4 p.m. March 31.

ADVERTISEMENT

By LAURA FRAZIER | The Tampa Tribune

Published: March 6, 2007

Brandon, FL - Brandon, FL - Lucy Snyder thinks the $1.5 million interior renovation of Nativity Catholic Church on State Road 60 in Brandon is a beautiful thing, and hers is an educated opinion.

A liturgical designer and artist by profession, Snyder is one of four Nativity parishioners who served gratis on the church's renovation committee.

While workers finished installing new flooring in the church sanctuary last week, Snyder surveyed the site and deemed everything to be in order.

"In addition to increasing our seating capacity, we really focused on refreshing the entire space," she said.

"We wanted a clean, simplified look to bring the church up to date while maintaining the integrity of its original elements and artwork."

Three frescos on display above the church altar were refurbished and given a fresh coat of paint by Nativity Catholic School art teacher Linda Plesko.

Existing stained glass windows in the sanctuary were also cleaned and refinished.

"Several of us (parishioners) were admiring the windows today, and we realized we'd never noticed that each window has the station (of the cross) number at the bottom. The lighter and brighter colors really enhance the windows and frescos."

Contractor R.J. Bunbury Co. installed new cove lighting. The recessed lights, ensconced in decorative ledges, line the ceiling from the narthex to the altar.

"I am told it will be 10 times brighter in here with the new lighting," Snyder said.

Pews with light oak bases and tapestry selected to complement the stained glass windows should be installed in about a week. The church sold its old pews and other items and donated the $4,000 proceeds to its La Victoria Mission in the Dominican Republic.

The construction is set to wrap up March 30. The church will be rededicated by Bishop Robert N. Lynch at a Palm Sunday vigil Mass at 4 p.m. Saturday, March 31.

Brandon News reporter Laura Frazier can be reached at lfrazier@mediageneral.com or (813) 657-4523.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT