By Paul J. Condra
While the major part of the work will be to install air-conditioning, the church will also receive a new altar and pulpit.
The church is approaching 50 years old, so it needs a major renovation to restore it, said Msgr. William Jablonski, pastor of St. Raymond's, at 263 Atlantic Avenue, who has been a spiritual leader at the church for six years.
The renovations are expected to last until late March. Jablonski said he hopes the congregation can be reunited in the refurbished church for Easter Sunday, which falls on March 31 in 2002.
Jablonski said the congregation which numbers about 3,000 families will unite in the church before the renovations for the last time on New Year's day, then will march to the St. Raymond's school, which is located on the same block. Services will be held at the school until the renovations are done.
Many believe this marks the first time that the church will be closed down for any period of time.
Jablonski said the three-month construction project will be very involved, as ducts for the air conditioning have to be installed in the spacious building. Scaffolding will line the interior of the church during construction.
The baptismal fountain will also be moved from the chapel to the main nave, in order to free up the chapel for other uses.
Jablonski said funding for the $1.5 million project will come from donations and pledges.
