Renovations begin on former Catholic church

After lengthy negotiations for the purchase and sale of the former Our Lady’s Help of Christians Church, members of the Swedenborg Church have wasted no time beginning the appropriate renovations to the Queen Anne-style building.

“We’re impressed and sobered by the amount of work that has to be done,” said George Gantz, media representative for the Swedenborg Church. The church officially sealed the deal on the Church Street property on Dec. 1, 2006.

Most recently, the artistic team of the Lyn Hovey Studio has reinstalled the five stained-glass medallions removed by the Archdiocese of Boston when Our Lady’s closed.

In a collaborative effort, members of the congregation worked with the stained-glass specialists to design and create five significant symbols.

Throughout the installation process, the congregation has been “very impressed” with the quality of work from the Lyn Hovey Studio, said Gantz.

The five medallions feature various symbols of great significance to the Swedenborg Church. According to a press release issued by the church, included in the artistic interpretations of the Old and New Testaments are a “brilliantly flaming sun” to represent the Lord, a depiction of the New Jerusalem coming down from heaven and a depiction of seven golden lamp stands representing enlightenment from the Lord. 

Meanwhile, the interior plasterwork is almost complete, said Gantz, and the congregation has begun researching estimates to refurbish the cracked and broken outside steps.

In addition to the medallions and the stairs, considerable work will need to be done before the church can house worship services. Woodwork and flooring need to be repaired and painted, the organ needs to undergo refurbishment and the building system needs to be upgraded, said Gantz.

Under strict preservation restrictions, the Swedenborg Church will continue to work with Concord to ensure the historical building and surrounding grounds are appropriately preserved and protected. The church is in agreement to not alter the fundamental character of the building.

The Boston archdiocese remains the owner of the adjacent administrative office building by a special permitting process, and the town of Concord holds the deed to the parking lot.

The only New England location of a Swedenborg Church is in Sudbury and that building was purchased more than 20 years ago.

Depending on the timing of the work, congregational services may be held in the church over the summer with a celebratory welcoming ceremony in the early fall.

“[We are] pushing ahead as quickly as we can,” said Gantz.