As pastor Fr. John Vaughan looks on, Bishop William F. Medley pours the sacred chrism on the new altar at Immaculate Parish in Owensboro, during the Sept. 15 dedication and blessing of the renovated church. ELIZABETH WONG BARNSTEAD | WKC
Immaculate celebrates renovation, dedication of church
BY ELIZABETH WONG BARNSTEAD, THE WESTERN KENTUCKY CATHOLIC
On Sept. 15, Bishop William F. Medley presided at the dedication of the altar and blessing of the renovated church for Immaculate Parish in Owensboro. The renovations began about a year ago, following several years of planning and discussion with construction and liturgical consultants and the parish community.
The renovations included new statues of St. Joseph, Our Lady, and St. John the Baptist, a new baptismal font at the entrance of the church, new ceiling and lighting, improved sound system, updated HVAC system, and refinished pews. A significant part of the project involved bringing the sanctuary out further, installing a new altar, and adding a ramp for accessibility.
The project also included adding a narthex, or gathering space, at the entrance of the church for improved fellowship and community-building, and an overhang outside the church to provide coverage in rainy weather.
With the renovations completed, Immaculate’s next step is the new Paving the Way project, in which parishioners can purchase a brick for the pathway in the updated Mary garden beside the parish family center. To learn more, call the parish office at (270) 683-0689.
The new baptismal font and interior of Immaculate Parish in Owensboro is seen during the during the Sept. 15 dedication and blessing of the renovated church. ELIZABETH WONG BARNSTEAD | WKC
Originally printed in the October 2024 issue of The Western Kentucky Catholic.
