Renovations at St. Leo Church Almost Complete

By Mary McCarthy
Herald Staff Writer
(From the issue of 4/17/03)

FAIRFAX — St. Leo the Great Church in Fairfax, originally built in the early 1960s, has almost seen the end of over a year of renovations and restorations.

In response to cracked walls and leaking roofs, the parish began a capital campaign three years ago to respond to the list of needs and wants created by the parishioners. The campaign raised almost $4 million for the renovations, which began in early 2002.

Parishioners had the opportunity to take a piece of the original church home last year. Before interior restoration began, a few founding families approached Father Kelly, pastor, about taking an original pew to restore and keep in their homes. After Father Kelly said yes, word got out, and all but a few pews found homes with families in the parish.

Father Kelly said over 60 percent of the original pews were cracked and in need of major repairs, so the pews and kneelers were replaced. The church seats 1,200.

The original altar was installed before Vatican II, and was "inadequate" and narrow, so it was replaced along with the ambo.

Arlington Bishop Paul S. Loverde consecrated the altar and blessed the ambo and baptismal font in early March.

The new crucifix installed above the tabernacle, which was moved to the center, replaces a cross depicting the resurrected Christ. The new crucifix comes from an Italian national parish in Pittsburgh that closed. The Pittsburgh parish was the home of Father Michael Weston, parochial vicar at St. Mary of Sorrows Parish in Fairfax.

"The church was like a tomb it was so dark," said Father Kelly. Skylights were installed above the sanctuary, and hanging light fixtures replaced the small, dim, recessed lights. The public address system was also in need of improvement, so it was replaced.

The baptismal font was originally recessed into the floor, and it was not uncommon for people to forget that there were steps and fall. When the vestibule was renovated and extended, to allow for more gathering space, the baptismal font was also raised. A few pews were placed in the vestibule for parents with fussy children.

While the renovations were underway, Masses were celebrated in the school gym. The parish Knights of Columbus set up folding chairs every weekend and cleaned up after the last Mass. "People were so patient and wonderful from the beginning," said Father Kelly.

The exterior of the church also saw changes. The roof and walls of the church had structural problems that were fixed including leaks and cracks. The vestibule was extended to create more gathering space.

The bell was sent away and the bell tower was reconstructed. The tower had serious water damage and the bell housing was rotted, so they were repaired and new mechanics were installed.

The rectory was expanded to allow more office space for the priests and staff at St. Leo Parish. When the church was built, it was customary for a priest to meet with guests in small parlors, and his staff consisted of a single secretary, but growth and changes over the years led to cramped quarters in the rectory. Offices were added, the kitchen was refinished, carpeting was replaced and the rooms were repainted.

The original section of the school was also renovated and had its roof replaced.

Changes are obvious, even when looking at the church from the street. One parishioner told Father Kelly how impressed she was that she could see the stained-glass windows when she drove by at night. The old lighting system was not bright enough to illuminate them.

There are still small signs of construction at the church, a ladder near the entrance, a light-post on the ground, but for the most part, Father Kelly said, the restoration is finished.

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