Altar Restoration, Marshall, TX

Altar Restoration, Marshall, TX

Restoring the historical character of St. Joseph's

Restoring the historical character of St. Joseph's

LOCATION

Marshall, Texas

YEAR

2011

CLIENT

St. Joseph's Catholic Church

The pastor wished to restore the sanctuary to the appearance prior to 1972. This included the main altar, reredos, and two side altars, one of which had been transformed into a baptismal font. Because the 1972 changes had severely damaged the apsidal wall, the reredos had to be redesigned to be taller than the original altarpiece from the church's foundation. Furthermore, the 1970s era altar and side altars were immovably fixed to the concrete floor.

The renewed design was inspired by photos of the original aesthetic based on photos provided by various parishoners. The altars were cased with painted wood and faux marble elements which were consistent with the new design. The reredos was extended vertically with an arch, taller ciborium, and additional columns in order to conceal earlier damage to the wall.

The finished structure is 12' wide and 20' tall.

PHOTOGRAPHY

George R. Hoelzeman