While renovation continues on the roof and rain gutter system on the outside, work is proceeding on inside improvements to the Shrine. In the past few months, with the generous contribution of Providence College towards the renovation of the Dominican Crypt, water ingress remediation, wall reconstruction, refinishing of the crypt itself, and a new floor system to compliment the renovated crypt is being planned.
You can see that the formerly deteriorated walls have been replaced; along the outside wall, a water trench and extraction pump was installed to keep the crypt dry. The faces of the graves in the crypt have been refinished and new brass plaques identifying the priests have been placed. The gates to the crypt are in the process of being refinished and will be reinstalled as part of the renovation. A refinished altar will be reinstalled, and this chapel will be dedicated to the Dominican Order, who were so instrumental in the foundation and spiritual guidance of St. Anne’s for close to a century. A new floor, inlaid with a mosaic of the seal of the Dominican order, will highlight their contribution to the life of the City.
While the crypt renovation proceeds, we are repairing the destroyed walls which exposed the original brick foundations of the shrine, laid in the 1890s, with a waterproofed finish. This will be matched to the non-damaged interior walls above the moisture line; the underlying brick was sealed to reduce the water ingress. Richard Affonso, former president of the Society, is seen working on the damaged section to the left of the Dominican Crypt this morning, with photos of the progress included.
Deteriorated wall exposing original brick and wall.
Richard Affonso preparing walls for plaster.
Finished underlayment and ready for final plaster and paint.
Also planned for reveal in the near future is our updated Eucharistic Adoration Chapel, funded by generous donations, in the former St. Jude Chapel to the right of the main sanctuary. It too was renovated to control water ingress, and will be available for private prayer when the Shrine is open. The chapel was built with the encouragement of Fr. Edward Murphy, Shrine Chaplain, and is managed by Messrs. Michael Antaya, Director of Liturgy, and Bryan Boyle, Shrine Sacristan for the benefit of our visitors.
The preservation society depends on the generosity and support of all who visit this beloved landmark church in Fall River. We are open Monday-Saturday 10:00AM to 4:00PM, Sunday 12:00PM to 4:00PM for your convenience. Confessions are heard every Thursday from 2:00PM-3:15PM in the lower shrine. For more information, please call the Shrine at 508-678-1510.