Have a look at some of these beautiful photographs, above and below, as Bishop Earl Boyea dedicates a new altar within a newly renovated sanctuary at the church of Saint Isidore in Laingsburg, October 29.
“My personal hope is that the renovation has helped create a space of reverence and beauty,” says pastor Father Anthony Brooks.
“In a world so full of noise and distractions, to have a place to go and spend time with our Blessed Lord in the Eucharist and see Him on the cross making that sacrifice of love for us.”
The present church building in Laingsburg dates from 1968. The renovation of the sanctuary was required, explains Father Brooks, as “the church was pretty dated in terms of the brutalist architecture of the time when it was constructed, and the sanctuary was a fairly barren landscape.”
The renovation process was initiated by Father Brook’s predecessor, Father Bob Bacik. The project has been overseen by local Catholic architect, Ben Luther. The overall design includes four saintly statues, each chosen for a particular reason.
First, there is Mary and Joseph as “the Holy family is always a model, and the Blessed Mother is one we call on often in our parish – a good Marian devotion is the sign of a healthy parish,” says Father Brooks.
Also featured is Saint Michael the Archangel and Saint Isidore the Farmer because, adds Father Brooks, “he is our patronal saint and a model of simple, steadfast faith, and a love for the Mass.”
The crucifix, tabernacle, ambry, and statues – except that of Saint Michael – are all antique church furnishings, dating from the middle of the last century, which have been lovingly restored.
The history of Saint Isidore goes back to the mid-19th century. From 1868, Catholics in Laingsburg were served by priests from Saint Mary in Lansing. In 1899 it became a station of Saint Joseph in Saint Johns. In 1903, a church was raised in Laingsburg and placed under the patronage of Saint Isidore, patron of farmers. Elevation to parochial status then arrived in 1909. In 2020 the parish was merged with Holy Family in Ovid to become the parish of Saint Isidore-Holy Family.
Father Brooks says he hopes the renovations will give all parishioners, and especially young parishioners, an opportunity “to experience the beauty in the church that many have never been exposed to – to give the next generation something to inspire them.”
He also prays that the new sanctuary reminds all in the parish, young and old, that during the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass “we are in the physical presence of our Savior and how many angels and saints in heaven rejoice and adore with us at every Mass, Heaven comes down to earth and we are invited to be there.”
