The Catholic Weekly recently featured the restoration of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Waterloo, within the Archdiocese of Sydney. As part of the Sydney City South parish, this church has undergone significant renovations, particularly in its sanctuary, to restore its historical beauty.
Established by Archbishop John Bede Polding in 1859, and designated a shrine in 2000, the building had suffered damage from a fire in 1956, leaving its sanctuary in need of proper restoration.
The renovation project, led by Excelsis Projects, included the installation of a new altar, timber parquetry flooring, and a new baptistry area.
These efforts addressed the building’s structural issues caused by dampness over the years. The project culminated a four year collaboration between our team, Parish Priest Fr Paul Smithers, Wayne Mavin and Sidney Rofe.
“The people really wanted it restored and are all blown away by how great it now looks. People from all over Sydney still come to Mount Carmel, who had an association with it when they were growing up.”
– Father Paul Smithers
Christian Abou-Rizk, leading the Excelsis Projects team, remarked on the importance of creating a space that fosters prayer and reflection, emphasising the rewarding nature of working on such a meaningful project.
For more details, read the full article on The Catholic Weekly.
