A Step-by-Step Look . . .

On April 21, 2021, Hayes Brothers, Inc. in Kokomo began the long-awaited restoration project returning the original 1957 Mary and Joseph statues to the St. Joseph Chapel at the St. Joseph Retreat & Conference Center.

First, workers removed the existing statues and the limestone shelves added when the St. Joseph Chapel was remodeled in 2016. With the area made ready, plaster was added on April 22nd and left to dry over the weekend. The spots were primed on April 26th with a second coat added April 27th. The new dark stained wooden shelves were installed April 29th and both areas were repainted April 30th.

The original Mary and Joseph statues, carved from Lindenwood in Italy just like the St. Joseph Chapel Stations of the Cross, were put back into place just after noon on Friday, April 30, 2021.

How providential that the first Mass prayed with the new statues in place was Saturday, May 1, 2021 on the Feast of St. Joseph the Worker!

See more pictures HERE!