Saint Michael’s Church is leaking and must be replaced.  Spot repairs are being made on an ongoing basis but the time has come to replace the slate tiles and waterproofing materials.  

Because of this a fund raising project is underway and we sincerely ask for your support.

Roof Replacement Fund
Total donations as of 10/22/2025:       $451,721.70

The actual cost came to $510,000 which means we still have to raise $65,000. Thanks to all of you who continue to help us strive to reach that goal. It is definitely a sacrifice considering that costs have risen everywhere. God bless. Zaplac!

Thank you to so many who continue to give beyond their original donation. The Parish is so blessed to have so many supportive parishioners and friends of the Parish!! The roof, etc. looks amazing on this beautiful Church of ours. “Right Solutions Construction, LLC” of Shelton did a great job with preservation of this beautiful edifice a high priority. And “thank you” to so many who added additional donations to their original one. Bless your giving hearts!

After the scaffolding was removed the remainder of the roof shingles were placed. Some special trim was also placed over seams as added protection from the elements. A new door under the steps was installed for the section which houses the electric wiring for the outside front lights. Also the outside lights are now on a system which will turn them on and off with the old timer removed.

If you attended Mass in the Church last weekend, you heard the church steeple bell ringing. So nice to hear that. The bell has been checked for stability and to make sure that it was firmly anchored in place. It was given some attention and now greets us to Mass on the weekends!

Now that the scaffolding is gone, the remainder of the roof will be shingled and the job completed.

CHURCH TOWER CROSS
A stainless steel cross was replicated and looks exactly like the cross that stood atop the tower for 120 years.  Last weekend those attending Church had the privilege of viewing both Crosses side by side.  (The new Cross was then put in place on Monday).  The Cross is anchored in place by a strong rod of sorts which is inserted through the bottom up into the hollow Cross (now going higher up than in the old Cross). Top photo shows this preparation.  Bottom photo shows old Cross when our Church had wooden stairs!

Donations by the tower Cross $922 which will go into the restricted account for the roof project.  Thank you to everyone who gave!!

Note: re: chimney; it was spot pointed, metal panels put on it & stainless steel flue cap. 

MAJOR UPDATE
Our forefathers did an amazing job building this beautiful church of ours. No computers, WiFi, AI, or equipment that is available today, yet they were craftsmen who found the way to create a strong and beautiful edifice that has stood the test of time for 120 years. We are honoring their work by preserving this building for generations to come. As we informed you, awhile back we found, after inspection of the chimney and tower, that we would need to raise $50,000 more to complete that restoration work. It turned out to be an actual cost of $464,000 at that point. The chimney is now capped and covered in a strong metal (color of brick) to preserve it. (Additional $1,000) The inside of the tower was concrete – badly crumbling and had to be totally redone to make it a strong structure once again. When the outside layers of the tower were removed it was discovered that underneath there was major major damage. Understandable as that tower has survived all those years without any major repairs. Of course, to fix it properly, correctly and so that it will be structurally sound for years to come means another increase in the cost bringing it to just over $500,000. Here is some of which needs to be done: replacement of bricks and filling of gaps in the wall at front of Church $8,000, fabricating a new cross from stainless steek, replicating the shape and proportions of the original design and secure installing of the cross $3,000, replacement of sheet metal on the tower with lead-coated copper and additional materials, stainless steel mesh on the louvers from the inside of the tower, performance of all necessary repair work, inspection and maintenance of bells (new chair system on large bell – so needed and maintenance on two smaller bells to ensure proper operation. $29,000. Painting of the rain protection tower $3,000. Replacement of glass panes with Plexiglas on the tower and at the rear of the church, cleaning of stained glass windows – cost based on hours worked. Just a few more details including, stainless steel mesh protection over all existing louvered tower windows, liquid plastic waterproofing with patina green finish, cement based stucco finish over newly framed sections, and more and more. Using the best materials to ensure their lasting quality. Hopeful the weather will be good so that we don’t go over the 28 day rental of the scaffolding (overage would incur additional cost).

Updates will be forthcoming as work progresses.

Thank you to our newest donors, everyone who continues to send in their pledge payments and to the many who are giving additional funds over and above their original donation/pledges. We are currently looking to raise the extra cost (an additional $50,000 to now $500,000) to cover the replacement of the chimney and the repairs to the tower.

The shingles of the new roof look very much like the slate that was there. Good choice in the color.

Fr. Sadowski and Fr. Sobczak