Resurrection Parish is located in the Cambria City neighborhood of Johnstown, Pennsylvania. The neighborhood formerly contained six Roman Catholic Churches (Immaculate Conception, St. Stephen of Hungary, St. Casimir, St. Emerich, St. Rochus, and St. Columba), which were consolidated in 2009 into one parish under the title Resurrection Parish and utilizing the former St. Stephen of Hungary church building.
At the first Mass of the newly formed parish on July 22, 2009, items from all former parishes were presented for use within the worship space, each representing the people and their history. Since then, Resurrection Parish has been a staple and active presence in the community.
Built in 1911, the building experienced updates due to changing liturgical needs over the years and repairs as needed. Like any building, the march of time and its consistent use took its toll. Almost 30 years of burning candles, incense, and general “street dirt” took their toll on the ceiling and walls. The wooden statues dried and cracked, which led to the peeling of paint.
Elias Painting has been a trusted partner in the Johnstown community and beyond, especially among clergy who sought to renovate, restore, and preserve church buildings. The pastor of Resurrection Parish, Rev. George M. Gulash, knew who to turn to and did not hesitate to call.
Understanding the renovation journey
Church renovation, restorations and preservations present many unique challenges. We take time to understand and evaluate each aspect, including;
- The wishes of the priest, councils, committees
- Choosing the proper liturgical colors for worship according to the traditions of the denomination
- Timeline
- Financial resources
- History of the building/community
With Resurrection Parish, this approach allowed us to listen to the pastor, council, and parish at large, absorbing their vision and ideas with an open mind. With our experience, we guided and directed their ideas, collaborating to preserve the grandeur of this majestic structure.
Preserving Ecclesiastical Beauty
The ecclesiastical paintings, iconography, and other artwork adorning our local churches are priceless, not just in monetary worth, but in the history and emotional attachment to our local religious communities. At Elias Painting, we understand that the value often goes beyond what the eye can see and are committed to preserving their artistic and spiritual value.
One of the most beautiful features (one of many) in Resurrection Parish is the decorative finishes. These fine details are a large part of the church’s history and enhance the overall aesthetic, so we took great pains to preserve them to their former glory.
Another labor of love, this church renovation allowed us to showcase the range of our capabilities and our commitment to first class workmanship. Our goal throughout this project was to preserve the space while creating the excitement of something new.
After the dedication, a church member approached us and told us, “It feels like our church, but it felt like our church when it was new.”
If your church is falling into disrepair, schedule a consultation to discuss rennovations.