St. Vincent de Paul Parish renovations completed

Friday, Dec. 14, 2018

SALT LAKE CITY — After a three-month absence, parishioners at St. Vincent de Paul Parish are back attending services in their church, which is newly renovated.

Built in the mid-1970s, the church was in need of refurbishment. The roof leaked, the carpets were worn and the building needed to be compliant with the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act. 

“It was time for an update,” Pastor Fr. John Norman said.

Along with addressing those deficiencies, and in keeping with theological changes, the baptismal font was moved from the sanctuary to the entrance of the church. 

“You enter the Church through the Sacrament of Baptism and progress to the altar through the Sacrament of the Eucharist,” Fr. Norman said.

Both the altar and the baptismal font are made of marble from southern Idaho. The base for the baptismal font, which mirrors the design of a new altar, was sculpted by Cordell Taylor. Local artist Ben Behunin made the font’s basin, which was cast in bronze.

Taylor also renovated the ambo. Behunin crafted an element of the ambo that has images of the four evangelists – Matthew, Mark, Luke and John – cast in bronze, along with tiles imprinted with images of wheat and grapes that front the steps leading to the sanctuary.

Other changes to the church’s interior included opening up the sanctuary to make it more accessible, and moving the tabernacle to make room for a wheelchair ramp. The sanctuary, which used to be covered with carpet, received a new wooden floor. The aisles were also reconfigured to better accommodate walkers, wheelchairs and caskets. The cry room and another room were combined to form a new family room, which can serve as a cry room, vesting space for Communion ministers and temporary resting place for caskets. 

In addition, the building’s lighting and sound were updated, the pews were refurbished and a new ceiling was constructed. Builders also added a handicap-accessible bathroom. 

Plans for the renovation began about four years ago. Fr. Norman said initially the building committee was a committee of two: himself and parishioner and architect Debbie Adams, who was wheelchair-bound. With her professional background and limited mobility, Adams (who passed away in November 2017) had a unique and valuable perspective, Fr. Norman said. 

Later, architects, builders, consultants and some parishioners were added to the committee.

“We worked very hard to maintain the original architectural integrity of the church,” Fr. Norman said. “Many people wanted to change the church but we wanted to keep it. There’s value to the architectural style from the middle of the last century.  We wanted to update it yet maintain its beautiful simplicity. We were very serious about the symbolism, not just the decoration.”

It was very important to the committee to keep as much of the original architecture as they could, while improving what needed to be improved and replacing what needed to be replaced, he said. 

The renovation cost close to $1 million. It was funded by the parish’s savings, a 10-year building fund, help from the diocese and individual donations.

“People took on a project before they even knew the cost. They were very generous,” Fr. Norman said.

While the renovations have been done over the last three months,  daily Mass has been celebrated in the rectory. Sunday Mass has been celebrated in the school gymnasium and funerals have been conducted in the social hall.

“We’ve been using all corners of the property,” Fr. Norman said.

On Friday, Jan 4, Bishop Oscar A. Solis will bless the church and the new baptismal font. Fr. Norman and Monsignor Francis M. Mannion, pastor emeritus, will attend. Holladay Mayor Rob Dahle, whose family are parishioners, has been invited, along with former pastors and deacons. A reception will follow.

 WHAT: Blessing of St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church renovations

WHEN: Friday, Jan. 4, 6:30 p.m.

WHERE: St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, 1375 E. Spring Lane, Salt Lake City

All are invited. A reception will follow.