The Basilica of St. Mary in Minneapolis was planning a sneak preview Aug. 15 into the building’s newly renovated 84-year-old sacristy.
For the past two months, workers from Conrad Schmit Studios of Milwaukee, Wis., have been repairing the sacristy — which houses vestments and other accoutrements used during the liturgy and is where priests and liturgical ministers prepare for Mass.
The plaster moldings in the sacristy have been repaired and the walls cleaned and painted in the original colors. The chandeliers, which had white plastic globes, have been fitted with colored glass globes similar to what would have been used when the sacristy was added in 1928. The cabinets have been refitted to accommodate current needs.
Last October, the Basilica won the popular vote — from among 25 historic sites in the Twin Cities — in a Facebook contest sponsored by the American Express Partners in Preservation Program. The Basilica received a $110,000 grant to restore the narthex and sacristy, which were damaged by a leaky roof. The narthex project was completed last spring.
The restoration projects are being overseen by The Basilica Landmark, a nonprofit organization that builds awareness and raises funds to ensure the Basilica of St. Mary remains a spiritual home and a center for community activities and social welfare for future generations.
