By Donna Schuld
Correspondent
GREEN BAY – St. Patrick’s Church and Oratory at 211 North Maple Street in Green Bay has gone through a significant transformation in recent years.
In 2017, work began on the installation of new altars, painting of the walls and ceiling, the installation of new lights and a new sound system.
The final phase of work is underway on the $1-million endeavor.
Canon Antoine Boucheron is the rector of St. Patrick’s Church and Oratory, which is part of the Institute of Christ the King.
In 2014, Bishop David Ricken enabled the canons, which is a form of Catholic priesthood, to take up residence at St. Patrick’s Church, and they have been offering the Extraordinary Form of the Classic Roman Catholic Liturgy, or the Latin Mass, to an ever-increasing congregation.
Canon Antoine Boucheron, a native of France, said he wants great things for one of Green Bay’s oldest churches.
“In my youth, my parents, and after my superiors, instilled in me a desire to improve each situation I am placed in,” he said. “When I was assigned to St Patrick’s Oratory, I saw a great potential: nice church and beautiful congregation. Together, everything is possible.”
Fortunately, the members of the church got behind the restoration project.
“My parishioners have given full support through many prayers and financial donations,” Boucheron said. “Our congregation has instituted many creative fundraisers. They have shown amazing teamwork. They were amazed and eager to help restore a beautiful and captivating place of worship that was initiated by the early Irish immigrants.”
Conrad Schmitt Studios, of New Berlin, will complete the last phases of the restoration project.
New solid wood doors will be installed in the narthex area, along with new organ screens for the back wall, and more painting will be done.
Boucheron said having a beautiful church environment is all part of the religious experience.
“Having a beautiful church helps the congregation raise their mind to God,” he said. “We are the religion of the incarnation and all our senses have to be involved in our worship of God: liturgy, music, vestments, sacred vessels and the appearance of the church helps us to give glory to God.”
Parishioner Lori Fameree was impressed when recent renovations wrapped up.
“When I saw the church for the first time I thought I was in heaven,” she said. “The beauty exceeded my expectations. The next stage will make the environment more complete. The beautiful renovations are a stark reminder of the many years St. Patrick’s has been in existence.”
Fameree said many people seem to favor this church because it offers the Traditional Mass.
“I think St. Patrick’s and the Oratory is important because their mission is to spread the reign of Christ particularly through liturgical tradition,” she said. “In an ever-changing world it’s important for many people to have traditions they can count on, that don’t change, and the Traditional Mass is a perfect example of that.”
For Boucheron, it’s encouraging to see more people show up for Mass in a time when church attendance in general is low.
“The attendance, thanks be to God and our bishop, is constantly growing,” he said. “We are around 500 in attendance on Sunday with our three Masses: 6:30 a.m., 8 a.m., and 10 a.m.”