1998 Rehabilitaion

Work on the St. Lawrence began in earnest in 1998 with the help of collaborators such as Youthbuild and several foundations, including the Davis Family Foundation and the Unum Foundation. Work the first year involved assessing the situation, cleaning things up and repairing major problem areas, including the front stairway and the Northwest corner.


Members of Youthbuild and St. Lawrence volunteer Bob Lipps in old Parish Hall of the St. Lawrence.


From the beginning the St. Lawrence has restored its own stained glass through the efforts of volunteer and master stained glass craftsman Mike Lorello.

 
The old main stairway was rotted with water damage and supported by cabinets underneath. This was a major problem area and one of the first to be addressed in the rehabilitation effort.


The new stairs rebuilt with a $10,000 grant from the Unum Foundation.


Another major problem area address in the first year of rehabilitation was the Northwest corner of the Parish Hall, which was collapsing due to water damage and neglect. This project was supported by a $25,000 grant from the Davis Family Foundation.

 
Youthbuild collaborated in the corner project, pairing at-risk youths with experienced masonry contractors.
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