Our Lady of Grace Church - Lancaster, SC

A few years ago, Henninger's installed two marble altars, a marble ambo, and marble baptismal font at St. Philip Neri Church in Fort Mill, SC.  Those pieces of furniture were created from new and used marble from Henninger's warehouse.  Under the guidance of pastor, Rev. John Guiliani, St. Philip Neri sponsors a Mission Church: Our Lady of Grace.  Located in Indian Land, SC, (about 15 miles southeast of St. Philip Neri, Our Lady of Grace was established as a Catholic Community and Mission Church in 2008.

Our Lady of Grace's first mass in February, 2008 had an attendance of about 250.  It didn't take long for the church to outgrow its first worship space.  In the last 8 years, the congregation has grown to 360 families with weekend masses drawing more than 400.

Since Fr. Guiliani worked with Henninger's at St. Philip Neri, it was an easy decision to use our team for Our Lady of Grace.  Old marble was selected from our warehouse, along with metalware, and Stations of the Cross.

 

Designs were drawn up and plans were made.

 

Statues were selected from our catalog:

Our crew traveled to South Carolina for the installation after July 4th, 2016.  The install took about one week.

 

Our Lady of Grace's new church will seat approximately 650 people, have nine multi-purpose rooms, a kitchen, offices for staff and a large multi-purpose room for parish events. Its dedication is scheduled for August 15 on the Feast of the Solemnity of Mary.

Mary Mother of God

The Church of St. Mary in Chardon, Ohio approached Henninger's for a custom statue of the Virgin Mary in June of 2011.  Fr. Tim Kalista, along with a committee dedicated to "Making Mary Matter" in their church had some definite ideas about the statue.

Mary should be pregnant, and joyful as the birth of Jesus was getting closer.  She should be standing on a pedestal, behind the tabernacle, her open arms presenting Jesus, her Son, to the church, as well as watching over the church.  They wanted it to fit into the theme of the church, carved in wood, stained in different shades of brown.  Mary should have a blue sash with gold stars and gold trim throughout her garments.  With this direction, Henninger's artists designed several options for the statue.  The drawing displayed was chosen. Her title was to be "Mary Mother of God."

Henninger's commissioned Demetz Art Studio in Italy to fabricate this statue, designed with love and adoration of the Blessed Virgin.  Demetz's talented artists first designed a small scale clay model - a Bozzetto - for approval.  With a couple of edits, the Bozzetto was given the go-ahead. 

Next, Demetz moved on to carving the linden wood statue.  They made sure that it was apparent that Mary is about seven months pregnant.  The Demetz family has been carving statues for generations, so this custom statue is the type they truly enjoy making.

 

Demetz photographed progress pictures of their work and emailed back and forth for approval.  The face had to be changed to give Mary a more "joyful expression".  Once the carving was complete, the statue was stained in different shades of brown.  Mary's white garment was painted in softed white, and the sash painted blue.  Finally the gold trim was added to complete the statue.  

Mary Mother of God was crated and shipped overseas, and delivered to St. Mary Church in Chardon on Friday, December 9.  It was dedicated by Fr. Dan Redmond that weekend, for Gaudete Sunday.  This was an appropriate time for dedication, since we recognize the joy and gladness of Jesus' coming birth.  The Mary Mother of God statue clearly displays the Virgin Mother, with child, and a joyful expression as she anticipates the birth of her Son.

The statue is situated on a pedestal, with Mary's arms open to the tabernacle, presenting her Son to the Church.  The parishioners of the Church of St. Mary in Chardon will celebrate a joyful Christmas with this new statue to accompany their prayer.