Concrete slab installed for new sanctuary of Most Blessed Sacrament Church

Marsha A. Stoltz, NorthJersey.com
·2 min read
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FRANKLIN LAKES — Close on the heels of grading and foundation work, the installation of a cement slab has been completed for a new sanctuary at Most Blessed Sacrament Church.

After the church was destroyed by arson in December 2019, construction was delayed by a lengthy insurance review process and COVID-19-related impact on staff availability and access to construction materials. The church's 2,000 families have been attending services at the adjacent Academy of the Most Blessed Sacrament awaiting the start of construction.

The congregation broke ground on the new church in September and officials announced grading and underground work was completed earlier this month. An estimated 310 yards of concrete were distributed on the site on Jan. 18, according to church officials.

Green crane installs concrete slab over the foundation at Most Blessed Sacrament Church in Franklin Lakes. The church was destroyed by fire in December 2019, and due to COVID and insurance delays only broke ground on the new building in September.
Green crane installs concrete slab over the foundation at Most Blessed Sacrament Church in Franklin Lakes. The church was destroyed by fire in December 2019, and due to COVID and insurance delays only broke ground on the new building in September.

"The area will now be prepared for the steel installation to begin in February," said spokeswoman Maria Margiotta.

The only objects to survive the fire were the church's three bronze bells in a detached brick tower. The bells were cast in 1875 and were originally installed in Saint Alphonsus Church on West Broadway in lower Manhattan. It was determined the tower could not be incorporated into the new structure.

GROUND BREAKINGMost Blessed Sacrament breaks ground on new church destroyed by arson in 2019

The bells were removed for restoration by Christoph Paccard Bell Foundry in Charleston, South Carolina, and will be reinstalled in the new building. The brick tower was demolished.

The congregation had set aside $2.6 million for the renovation of the 38-year-old sanctuary when it burned to the ground. Combined with insurance and donations, the church's pastor, Fr. John Job, estimated the church had $13.7 million on hand for the project and needs to raise another $3.7 million.

GRADING COMPLETEDMost Blessed Sacrament Church grading completed, ready for framing three years after fire

Parish member James Mayers, 26, was arrested at the scene and confessed to setting the fire. A year later he was found not guilty by reason of insanity and committed to Greystone Park Psychiatric Hospital in Morris Plains. According to his attorney Lee Vartan, Mayers is now being transferred to a group home.

Construction is expected to take 15 to 18 months.

The church is at 787 Franklin Lake Road, at the intersection of High Mountain Road. For more information visit the church's website, mostblessedsacrament.ws.

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Concrete slab installed for new Most Blessed Sacrament sanctuary