Renovated St. John’s Church Unveiled
An idea that was planted almost five years ago — and germinated with formation of a church renovation steering committee, input from parishioners, and funding from parishioners, Jesuits and Creighton donors — blossomed in a radiant unveiling this summer on the Creighton campus.
The newly restored St. John’s Church, the heart of the University’s faith-based mission, opened its doors to parishioners, students and others in a July 28 Eucharistic celebration, “For the Greater Glory of God: Celebrating Renewal of the Spirit,” offered by Archbishop of Omaha the Most Rev. Elden Francis Curtiss — and concelebrated by more than a dozen Jesuits.
The full-house congregation was visibly moved by the brighter atmosphere, new pews, smooth tile flooring and magnificent crucifix that are part of almost $3 million in improvements. Hushed chatter filled the church before Mass as people looked above and around, pointing out features to those next to them. A highlight of the Mass was the consecration of a new altar by Archbishop Curtiss.
“Many people said that they had never seen a consecration of an altar before, including me,” said the Rev. Roc O’Connor, S.J., co-chair of the steering committee and new rector of the Creighton Jesuit Community. “The archbishop’s intensity and deliberate working of chrism into the top of the altar was very compelling.”
The renovations, which began last fall on the outside of the church with the restoration, cleaning, replacing and tuck-pointing of thousands of stones, moved inside in the spring. Worship services transferred to the church basement for several months.
With the dual goals of preservation and a richer communal experience, improvements include repair of the stained glass windows; a new heating/air-conditioning system; new paint, flooring, lighting and sound system; a new baptismal font for adult baptisms by submersion; a reconfiguration of the altar area; installing new pews and angling them for better sightlines, and more. Some finishing touches still need to be completed.
Many alumni remember, with fondness tainted by a twinge of annoyance, the clanging of St. John’s radiators. The new heating, ventilating and air-conditioning system has relegated the radiators’ “Anvil Chorus” to history. The painting of the walls and ceiling bring out the detail and beauty of the church’s Gothic features.
St. John’s cornerstone was laid in June 1887, with dedication the following May. The extended family of the Creighton founders provided the main altar, two side altars, a pipe organ and some stained glass windows. Ten years later, the Archdiocese of Omaha designated St. John’s a parish church, as well as a collegiate church, as it remains today.
Construction doubled its size in 1922, and the well-recognized spire with clock and bells was added in 1976. In 1981, St. John’s was officially registered as a historic landmark. The current project was undertaken to preserve and improve the structure of the church, so that it can be enjoyed for generations to come.
The steering committee’s work, in concert with the archdiocese and in dialogue with parishioners, reflected the principles in Built of Living Stones, published by the U.S. Catholic bishops to help parishes renovate their church homes.
“There’s a good integration of old and new,” Fr. O’Connor said. “The baptismal font is surrounded by the old Communion rail, which is at least 85 years old; parts of the two side altars went into fashioning both the new altar and ambo; and the new crucifix with Mary and John the Evangelist, which hangs from the ceiling near the altar, will help many to contemplate the mystery of the cross for many years. It draws people to focus with Mary and John on Jesus.”
He added, “The insignia of the Society of Jesus (IHS, the first three letters of the name Jesus in Greek) placed in the floor just in front of the sanctuary area is gorgeous. It will be prized for many decades to come.”
The renovation of St. John’s Church is one of the priorities of the Willing to Lead Campaign and funds are still needed to complete the renovation and endow future care and enhancements to preserve the church for generations of students, alumni, parishioners and friends.