Once upon a time there was the Church of the Nativity built in the Romanesque style of architecture in approximately 330 AD in the little town of Bethlehem in Israel, and it was known as the jewel in the crown of Bethlehem. Many believe this church was built on the site where Jesus was born. According to tradition, tombs of four Catholic saints (Jerome, Paula, Eustochium, & Eusebius of Cremona) are said to be located beneath the church.
Well, the church being nearly 1800 years old was in dire need of repairs. During the architectural inspection of necessary repairs it was reported that the roof timbers of this church were rotting and had not been replaced since the 19th century. The roof was leaking badly and rainwater was seeping into the building and damaging not only its structural elements, but also its 12th century wall mosaics and paintings. Windows were broken, art was covered in dirt and walls were damaged. Due to the influx of water, there was an ever present chance of an electrical short-circuit and a possibility of a fire.
For many years, even decades, no work was done on this church. The cost for all the repairs came to $17 million. It was an extravagant amount of money, but it being an important site in the daily life of many believers, Christians and non-Christians, and with Bethlehem officials hoping with repairs this church will bring more visitors and tourism and improve the weak economy in the West Bank, they decided to come up with a plan to renovate and save this historic landmark from further damage.
Since this large church and area had experienced many conflicts between various groups of people -- Israelis, Palestinians, Christians, Armenians, Greek Orthodox -- it would take a miracle to put squabbling aside and develop a plan to raise money to restore this historic church. That is exactly what happened. The different groups were able to work together and had faith and belief in the possibility of raising the money which they did. A total of $14 million came from Palestinian Authority, local Muslim businesses and local Christian businesses and the other $3 million came from various donations including over $1 million from the Vatican. The Palestinian Authority, Latin Catholic, Greek Orthodox and Apostolic Armenian Churches then signed an agreement authorizing an Italian restoration company to fix the church. This company said that the church can remain open while they do the repairs in different stages beginning with the roof, followed by replacing the supports and repairing the walls.
After a mere five years of work, the church is almost completely changed back to its former glory. They are currently in the final stage of repairing a floor mosaic and the completion of the project is expected by the end of 2018.
Once upon a time there was St. Anne’s Church & Shrine built in the Romanesque style of architecture in the year 1906 AD in the little city of Fall River, and it is the jewel in the crown of Fall River, majestically ascending the city’s skyline for all to see. It is believed that architects Napoleon Bourassa and Louis G. Destremps were inspired by God to build such a magnificent design that would lead many to Jesus Christ and the Catholic Church. According to tradition and history three great Catholic priests, who played significant roles in building St. Anne’s and preserving it (Father Sauval, Father Marchildon, & Father Terrien), are entombed in the shrine.
St. Anne’s being 112 years old was in dire need of repairs. Like the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, St. Anne’s Church & Shrine is an important spiritual site in the daily life of many believers, and with repairs this church could bring more visitors and tourism to help booster the weak economy of Fall River.
The architectural report by William Starck stated the slate roof needed repairing as rainwater was seeping into the church damaging some walls and paintings of the upper church. He identified some windows and doors needing repair, along with some masonry work of rebuilding round towers, gable ends and the chimney. Any building with an influx of water has a high chance of an electrical short-circuit which can lead to a fire.
For nearly 50 years almost no work was done on the church. The total cost of major and minor repairs was $13.5 million, but it was emphasized to Bishop Edgar da Cunha that repairs could be done in stages, starting with the roof at $450,000, and there possibly was no need to close the upper church if repairs were done in a timely manner. This was not done, so instead the upper church was closed and allowed to deteriorate more. A roof contractor with over 20 years of experience and liability insurance approached the bishop and said, “I will repair the roof for free for our beautiful church. All the Fall River Diocese has to do is provide the material.” The bishop said no.
The bishop then refused all types of fundraising ideas to save St. Anne’s Church & Parish, showing his disbelief and lack of faith in the passionate parishioners abilities, stating he believed it was an impossible task to raise that much money and that the parishioners were acting out of emotion instead of reason. He even claimed he referred to the so-called local financial experts of Fall River, ironically a distressed economic city. Instead, the bishop decided to close the lower church of St. Anne’s and allow it to succumb to nature and to the similar damage that was allowed to happen to the upper church. Water will eventually leak into the lower church, frozen pipes may burst in a winter thaw, and with it being unoccupied, floor tiles will lift, wood will rot and walls decay. Soon I am sure the bishop will declare the entire church, upper and lower, is beyond repair and the “building” must be torn down.
Two similar stories and issues, but two totally different outcomes, one believed and had faith in possibility, the other, the bishop did not and believed it was impossible.
It was the best of times for the Church of the Nativity as people of different ethnicities, cultures and religions put aside differences and came together for the common cause of saving and restoring a landmark church. They wisely saw the value of their church, spiritually and financially and now prospered.
It was the worst of times for St. Anne’s Church & Shrine where one religious authority refused to give fellow Christians and Catholics the opportunity to trust God and their faith in raising enough money to repair and sustain their church and he closed their House of God. Ye of little faith!
Edward J. Costa
Fall River