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Phase-1 Church Refurbishment
OLPH Icon Cleaning & Organ/Pipes Repairs
Nov-Dec 2011
Before the cleaning started on Nov. 14, 2011, the OLPH Icon was always suspended very high (as shown here) - roughly where the semicircular arch begins
The Icon was lowered to about 4 meters above the altar for cleaning purpose
The last cleaning was done about 15 years ago, according to the OLPH Care-taker Roman
Not only was it cleaned but some repairs were also carried out
This is the back side of the Icon with the circular inscription removed for cleaning> Most parishioners were surprised to find something on the backside
This back side, made up of 6 pieces was cleaned on the floor. Can you read what is written there? Answer is two pictures along.
The back side was "bandaged" up while the glue was setting in. It's made of porcelain like the front side
Answer: "My soul doth magnify the Lord" from the Magnificat
Repairs to the Organ were also taking place, with most of the organ pipes removed for re-painting
The larger pipes (longest is 20 feet) were painted in the rectory garage
Two painters took a little break for this photo
The Wednesday (Nov. 16) noon Mass on a temporary altar placed in front of the usual altar
Fr. Jim invited the congregation to come for a closer look of the Icon, front and back
Can you see the two men painting the ceiling? You have to look carefully on each side
Different photo-editing for "brihgtening" was tried on the Icon in the following pictures
The Icon was apparently made in New York and installed about 50 years ago.
A closeup of the top half of the Icon
Roman shone a "spotlight" on the Icon, this one for the backside
The circular "painting" of the Icon is made of porcelain (also backside) but the rest is made of entirely of wood (including all the "spokes")
A spotlight was also used for this photo
In between Roman and Fr. Jim is Carlos Nunes, the Director of FPDR Company doing this cleaning/repairing
The longest pipe is about 20 ft and weighs well over 200 pounds
Fr. Joseph Ogbonnaya dropped by to see the "refreshed" Icon. He used to help at OLPH some years ago
Fr. Jim invited parishioners after all the Nov. 19-20 weekend masses (this one from the 9:30 Mass on Nov. 20th) before the Icon was raised up again, but not as high as before
November 21st - Icon raised back up to its new location but lower than before (3-4 meters lower) - compare with the first picture in this series
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