Summary

Type:

Religious

Date Completed:

01/01/2006

Description

Owen-Ames-Kimball Co. recently completed an extensive renovation of Michigan’s only Roman Catholic basilica restoring glory to the magnificent Romanesque structure built by poor Polish immigrants 91 years ago on the Westside of Grand Rapids. Located in an aging neighborhood, the copper-domed basilica soars nearly 150 feet into the sky and is a landmark to motorists along freeways intersecting downtown.

Replacing the roof represented a significant portion of the renovation because all roof elements are new: gleaming copper flashing, reinforced felt, new clay tiles and rebuilt gutters. Owen-Ames-Kimball Co. crews stripped sections of the deteriorating roof a little at a time to expose only a manageable work area. The area was covered each night to protect the building from outdoor elements.

Besides a new roof, three large metal crosses on the church’s roof top were repaired and coated with new gold leaf. Twin bell towers, were reinforced with tuck-pointing. Eleven foot Gabriel angels that flank the dome were also completely repaired.