On Saturday, December 09, the new congregation of Our Lady of Pompeii Catholic Church formally launched the restoration campaign to restore Old Holy Rosary in Historic Springfield.
Over 80 parishioners, many seeing the church for the first time, joined Fr. David Thomas and the Pompeii Rising committee in an open house. “The church is magnificent inside and out” said Robert Torrence, a new parishioner who recently moved to the area. “The extra space will allow families to sit together with room for guests.” The new church will seat over 400 people, a 500% increase over the seating capacity of the current chapel located 5 miles away.
Representing the General Contractor, Auld & White Constructors, LLC (AWC), Buck Smoak, Director of Business Development, attended the event. “AWC was founded on faith and a desire to focus on local projects so we could serve our community. We have been fortunate to continue building where we live for 38 years now!” Smoak told Pompeii Rising. “Being a part of the revival of the Our Lady of Pompeii is a great honor for us. It resonates with our experience with historic buildings and faith-based worship centers while also playing true to our core values as a company.”
Michael Haskins, Springfield Preservation and Revitalization (SPAR) Council Executive Director was also given a tour. “The former Holy Rosary Catholic Church is a beautiful, prominent building in the Springfield neighborhood” observed Haskins. “SPAR is excited to see the historic structure restored to its original grandeur thanks to the hard work of St. Michael the Archangel Church and appreciates the church's investment in the Springfield community."
With much zeal, the congregation tidied up the church grounds and the cottage next door, in preparation for AWC’s team to complete Phase II. On the front steps beneath the image of Our Lady of Pompeii, the entire group was treated to hot dogs and sausages by local caterer, Around the Country, while the kids played, and the adults envisioned the Traditional Latin Mass being celebrated in the Springfield community once again.