Raising the Roof

" ... and then the roof fell in."

It's a vivid metaphor to describe a worst-case scenario when everything changes in an instant. But just about a year ago, at the historic St. Thomas Aquinas church in Archbald, it wasn't a metaphor. It was reality.

On Aug. 5, 2009, with little or no warning, the ceiling collapsed at the church, which was built in 1873. Thankfully, no one was in the church at the time, a fact that did not go unnoticed by then-pastor Joseph Bambera, who is now the bishop of the Scranton Diocese.

"When you look at something like this that could have wiped out a good portion of a congregation," he told the Scranton Times-Tribune at the time, "everybody in our parish is well and safe. We thank God for that."

After surveying the damage, it was determined that the cost of the restoration will be about $1.9 million. Insurance will cover some of that cost, and the parish is conducting a capital campaign to raise the rest, said Rev. Christopher Sahd, the recently installed pastor of the newly created Christ the King Parish, which also includes St. Mary of Czestochowa in Eynon.

The parish has recently started the public phase of the capital campaign and is at about 40 percent of goal.

"The project has become one of restoration, rather than repair," explained John Joyce, parishioner and member of the committee overseeing the effort. The project will also add air conditioning, a handicapped-accessible entrance and rest room, and a glass-enclosed foyer reception area for processions, weddings and funerals. Improvements to the parish hall at the basement level include a new ceiling, flooring, electrical wiring and plumbing.

One way to contribute would be to attend the parish's inaugural Christ the King golf classic Monday, Aug. 16, at Elkview Country Club. For golfer and sponsorship information, call 876-1701 or contact a committee member.

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