True to its name, Ecclesiastical Studios & Sons is known for restoring houses of worship, but the restoration of St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church was truly a project of biblical proportions.

“The restoration of St. Francis involved all aspects of the painting and decorating business,” says Jr. Decorator/Vice President Alex Wendt. “From creating the interior designs, choosing the color scheme, plaster restoration, decorative painting and stenciling.”

The St. Francis Xavier Church is a family affair for Wendt. His father and uncle painted the church in the mid-1970s. In 1991, the Ecclesiastical team went back to restore the altars and statues.

Then in 2008, they remodeled the confessional to match the church’s existing woodwork. This time, the church would require a floor-to-ceiling makeover.

“The interior was rather plain, and they were wanting it to look more like a traditional Catholic church,” Wendt says.

The project took 16 weeks to complete. Building and creating side altar tops, restoring the stations of the cross and statuary. It even involved creating and painting the holy spirit above the high altar in the Sanctuary. Talk about pressure!

Wendt credits a number of factors for the three-man team’s success. Owning all the scaffolding and equipment was a plus, as was not subcontracting any of the work out.

The small team was nimble and efficient thanks to their decades of experience and put in six days a week away from home.

All in all, it was a praise-worthy effort. Amen!

“The interior was rather plain, and they were wanting it to look more like a traditional Catholic church.”

Key Products

Purdy brushes & roller covers

Behr Marquee paint

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Crescent Bronze Mica Gold

Zinsser White B-I-N Shellac-based Primer

USG Structo-Lite Basecoat Plaster

EZ-Pro Texture

Behr multi-purpose caulking