1715 N. Zarmzamora * San Antonio, Texas * 78201
Restoring the Basilica
Phase 1
Actual work on restoration of the National Shrine of the Little Flower began in 1999 with work on the exterior of the Shrine. The architectural firm which oversaw the first phase of restoration was Fisher/Heck Architects. The work consisted of a cleaning of the exterior and tuck-pointing of the masonry. A new guttering system was devised and installed and the roof was refelted. The windows were repainted and the windows in the upper dome were replaced. A primary focus of this work was stopping any water penetration.
The work on the exterior of the building was very well-received on the part of the San Antonio community which seems to recognize the importance of preserving historical buildings such as the National Shrine of the Little Flower. On May 6 of 2003, the San Antonio Conservation Society gave an Historic Preservation Award to the Discalced Carmelite Fathers and also to Fisher/Heck Architects in recognition of efforts undertaken to preserve the landmark structure.
Phase 2
Groundbreaking for the second phase of restoration work at the National Shrine of the Little Flower took place on July 19, 2005. Fisher/Heck Architects were also involved in design and planning work for the construction which was carried out by Guido Brothers Construction. This work consisted of remodeling and refinishing of the Undercroft or basement of the 11,000 square foot church floor plan. The elements of the remodeling included: an elevator with service to the basement, the main floor and to the choir loft; a marble stairwell leading down from the narthex to the basement; new restrooms. A hall way leading down the north side interior of the basement with architecturally pleasing work around the windows. Along the hallway, there is a large niche where a large painting of St. Therese is displayed; a new entrance to the Undercroft from the north side of the church with a small plaza area which is terraced to the right and left; a chapel foyer leading into the St. Elias Adoration Chapel. The foyer which is embellished with a five-foot statue of St. Elias the Prophet by the renowned bronze sculptor, Eric Christianson;
and, the St. Elias Adoration Chapel located under the tomb chapel. The Adoration Chapel is a place where the Blessed Sacrament is reserved and exposed. Some of the elements of the Adoration Chapel include: a brass fountain that represents Mt. Carmel sculpted and molded by Eric Christianson, hanging lighting from Syria, rounded pews, an altar and tabernacle consisting of finely crafted wood carving by Michael Villarreal of Alamo Custom Furniture. The altar frontispiece is a finely carved marble representation of the Prophet Elijah being fed by a raven as he journeys to Mt. Horeb. This marble carving was sculpted by Louis Rodriguez, the same artist who did the marble carving in the upper church.
The costs for the second phase of restoration came to 1.6 million dollars. Funding was provided by the Abdo Family Trust to the tune of $800,000. The other $800,000 came from private donations as well as from loans taken out by the Carmelite Fathers.
Substantial completion of the Undercroft renovations was reached by September of 2006. On June 9th of 2007 a dedication and blessing of the chapel took place and the following day the chapel was opened for Eucharistic Adoration.
Although the Undercroft is still not fully developed (for there are still plans for a Spirituality Center and a Museum and Gift Shop to be constructed,) present plans are to move to Phase Three of the restoration next.
Phase 3
Phase 3 of the restoration of the Basilica will consist of renovation of the interior of the upper church. Some the elements of this work will include: replastering and repainting; refinishing of the pews and the attachment of new kneelers; replacing electrical wiring and relighting the building; work to preserve and restore the statuary; and, application of colors, finishes, metal leaf, glazes and stencils. Costs for this interior restoration are estimated to reach to 2.5 million dollars. The work is to be undertaken by the Conrad Schmitt Studios of New Berlin, WI.
Phase 4
Phase 4 of the restoration will consist of renovation and restoration work on the Carmelite Monastery directly behind the Basilica. The Carmelite Monastery is the residence of the Discalced Carmelite Friars. The Monastery has an external appearance which matches that of the Shrine because it was erected at the same time and completed just some 6 months before the completion of the Shrine. The same stonework of Indiana limestone graces the exterior of the monastery and it has a similar red tile roof.
Phase 4 restoration will consist of a restoration of the three floors of the monastery. Elements of the restoration will include: replacement of framing, walls and Spanish tile on the basement or first floor and a reprogramming of the space. This is to include a new commercial kitchen and dining room. On the second floor there is to be a reprogramming of the floor plan. Two infirmary rooms will be provided and a small oratory will be constructed. A finance and administration office and a reception room will also be constructed. On the third floor a library/reading room is to be provided on the east end of the building and the individual rooms are to be expanded to have a half bath attached to each of the friar’s rooms. Pittman Construction Services have estimated that the costs for Phase 4 restoration will be 2.57 million dollars.
Actual work on restoration of the National Shrine of the Little Flower began in 1999 with work on the exterior of the Shrine. The architectural firm which oversaw the first phase of restoration was Fisher/Heck Architects. The work consisted of a cleaning of the exterior and tuck-pointing of the masonry. A new guttering system was devised and installed and the roof was refelted. The windows were repainted and the windows in the upper dome were replaced. A primary focus of this work was stopping any water penetration.
The costs of the first phase of work stretched to 2.1 million dollars. A significant portion of the money for the project was raised from grants from foundations and from numerous private contributions. The Carmelite Fathers also dipped significantly into their savings to make the project viable.
The work on the exterior of the building was very well-received on the part of the San Antonio community which seems to recognize the importance of preserving historical buildings such as the National Shrine of the Little Flower. On May 6 of 2003, the San Antonio Conservation Society gave an Historic Preservation Award to the Discalced Carmelite Fathers and also to Fisher/Heck Architects in recognition of efforts undertaken to preserve the landmark structure.
Groundbreaking for the second phase of restoration work at the National Shrine of the Little Flower took place on July 19, 2005. Fisher/Heck Architects were also involved in design and planning work for the construction which was carried out by Guido Brothers Construction. This work consisted of remodeling and refinishing of the Undercroft or basement of the 11,000 square foot church floor plan. The elements of the remodeling included: an elevator with service to the basement, the main floor and to the choir loft; a marble stairwell leading down from the narthex to the basement; new restrooms. A hall way leading down the north side interior of the basement with architecturally pleasing work around the windows. Along the hallway, there is a large niche where a large painting of St. Therese is displayed; a new entrance to the Undercroft from the north side of the church with a small plaza area which is terraced to the right and left; a chapel foyer leading into the St. Elias Adoration Chapel. The foyer which is embellished with a five-foot statue of St. Elias the Prophet by the renowned bronze sculptor, Eric Christianson;
and, the St. Elias Adoration Chapel located under the tomb chapel. The Adoration Chapel is a place where the Blessed Sacrament is reserved and exposed. Some of the elements of the Adoration Chapel include: a brass fountain that represents Mt. Carmel sculpted and molded by Eric Christianson, hanging lighting from Syria, rounded pews, an altar and tabernacle consisting of finely crafted wood carving by Michael Villarreal of Alamo Custom Furniture. The altar frontispiece is a finely carved marble representation of the Prophet Elijah being fed by a raven as he journeys to Mt. Horeb. This marble carving was sculpted by Louis Rodriguez, the same artist who did the marble carving in the upper church.The costs for the second phase of restoration came to 1.6 million dollars. Funding was provided by the Abdo Family Trust to the tune of $800,000. The other $800,000 came from private donations as well as from loans taken out by the Carmelite Fathers.
Substantial completion of the Undercroft renovations was reached by September of 2006. On June 9th of 2007 a dedication and blessing of the chapel took place and the following day the chapel was opened for Eucharistic Adoration.
Although the Undercroft is still not fully developed (for there are still plans for a Spirituality Center and a Museum and Gift Shop to be constructed,) present plans are to move to Phase Three of the restoration next.
Phase 3
Phase 3 of the restoration of the Basilica will consist of renovation of the interior of the upper church. Some the elements of this work will include: replastering and repainting; refinishing of the pews and the attachment of new kneelers; replacing electrical wiring and relighting the building; work to preserve and restore the statuary; and, application of colors, finishes, metal leaf, glazes and stencils. Costs for this interior restoration are estimated to reach to 2.5 million dollars. The work is to be undertaken by the Conrad Schmitt Studios of New Berlin, WI.
Phase 4Phase 4 of the restoration will consist of renovation and restoration work on the Carmelite Monastery directly behind the Basilica. The Carmelite Monastery is the residence of the Discalced Carmelite Friars. The Monastery has an external appearance which matches that of the Shrine because it was erected at the same time and completed just some 6 months before the completion of the Shrine. The same stonework of Indiana limestone graces the exterior of the monastery and it has a similar red tile roof.
Phase 4 restoration will consist of a restoration of the three floors of the monastery. Elements of the restoration will include: replacement of framing, walls and Spanish tile on the basement or first floor and a reprogramming of the space. This is to include a new commercial kitchen and dining room. On the second floor there is to be a reprogramming of the floor plan. Two infirmary rooms will be provided and a small oratory will be constructed. A finance and administration office and a reception room will also be constructed. On the third floor a library/reading room is to be provided on the east end of the building and the individual rooms are to be expanded to have a half bath attached to each of the friar’s rooms. Pittman Construction Services have estimated that the costs for Phase 4 restoration will be 2.57 million dollars.
For more information on the restoration of the Basilica or how you can donate, please contact July Moreno de Lopez, Executive Director of Restoration Development at 210-734-4002 or e-mail at julylfbasilica@sbcglobal.net
To make a donation toward the Restoring of the Basilica please click here.
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