April 20, 2026 – St. Michael, Wi – A spirit of renewal and reverence filled St. Michael’s Parish on Sunday as parishioners gathered to celebrate the completion of a major renovation project that has reshaped the church’s interior and renewed its sense of purpose.
The work, funded through the parish’s “Love One Another” Capital Campaign, was formally marked during Mass, where members of the parish reflected on both the physical transformation and the unity that made it possible.
Parishioner Ann Enright highlighted how the updates enhance the beauty and focus of the worship space.
“The walls were red brick,” Enright said. “Now, the paneling is very clean and it makes the stations stand out. It makes the stained glass at the ceiling level stand out much better too.”
Enright also pointed to the renewed sanctuary as a central feature of the project.
“The altar is absolutely gorgeous with the gold accents, and the statues are much more able to be seen because the brick was very busy looking,” she said. “This is just elegant.”
Above the original altar featured red carpet against a fieldstone wall with a spotlight on the cross. The new altar features a gold communion rail and a Balticino, which is an architectural structure or house-like structure at the center of the sanctuary.
There is also a scripture verse taken from Psalm 42. The verse is, “As a deer longs for flowing streams, so my soul longs for you, oh God.”
Parish trustee Reiny Follmann said, “The sanctuary is really beautiful. That’s where the focus is when you come in the church.”
Follmann reflected on the broader significance of the renovation and the direction of the parish.
“It’s the younger generation that are in charge now of moving the parish forward,” he said.
Closing the reflections, Rev. Patrick Mangor spoke about the deeper meaning behind the project, emphasizing faith and community.
“It was very clear to me that the hand of God was on this project from the beginning to the end,” Mangor said. “God guided this project in ways that were just so successful. To see people’s generosity to come forward to help support the project, people coming together to make this happen, that’s the work of God, and we give thanks and praise God for that.”
As the congregation filled the newly renewed space, the celebration carried a quiet but powerful message: the renovation was not simply about updating a building, but about strengthening a community and deepening the experience of worship for generations to come.
Rev. Patrick Mangor gave thanks in a note in the church bulletin:
With deep gratitude and great joy, we give thanks to God for the successful renovation of St. Michael’s Church, made possible through our Love One Another Capital Campaign. As we reopen St. Michael’s Church this weekend, let us give praise to Almighty God for the successful completion of this project.
Those who worked on the renovation were kept safe, the project unfolded relatively smoothly, and the final result is a beautifully renovated church. These blessings are never “a given” in a project of this kind. As the work progressed, it became clear to me that His hand was guiding all things. Let us always remember to give thanks to God for the many blessings He bestows upon us.
I give thanks for the supportive spirit of our community throughout this process. Your prayers, patience, and flexibility helped make this possible. Adjusting to temporary changes and disruptions is never easy, and your willingness to do so with generosity and a good spirit has been a true witness of faith.
To those who contributed financially, those who offered material support through the donation of building materials, and the many volunteers who gave their time and energy: thank you! May God, who is never outdone in generosity, bless each of you abundantly. I also extend my gratitude to the dedicated staff of our parishes, as well as the remarkable tradesmen and local businesses whose skill, craftsmanship, and dedication brought this vision to life with such care and excellence.
Countless hours were dedicated to this project, and their commitment to excellence and professionalism has made it a success. With these words of gratitude, I want to turn to a practical matter. While St. Michael’s Church is now open for weekend Masses, there is still some finishing work that needs to be completed by contractors. Until further notice, the church will be closed for private prayer during the week to allow the workers access and to ensure safety.
May God be praised!
See you at Mass. Fr. Patrick Magnor
The contractor for the project was Peter Marx, Adam Schneider assisted with special appointments in the sanctuary, and Marx Masonry completed the brick work.
