St. Joseph Church renovations

A panel in the sanctuary of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Oil City shows what the sanctuary will look like when the renovations are completed. (By Kara O'Neil)

St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church in Oil City is undergoing extensive renovations.

The renovations to the sanctuary include painting and decorative painting on the ceiling and pillars, according to an informational panel in the church.

New wainscot, new partial alter rail, marble flooring to replace the carpet in the sanctuary, stain-glass window restoration and storm-glass replacement, pew refurbishing, and renovations of confessionals and organ refurbishing are also among the renovations the panel spelled out.

New interior lights and updates to the electric are also part of the plan.

Currently, six stained glass windows toward the back of the sanctuary have been taken out, leaving only the storm glass in place.

The organ has also been removed from the choir loft, leaving brick exposed in the choir loft and a rose window at the back of the sanctuary in full view.

According to the St. Joseph Church bulletin from Aug. 14 and 15, Natalie Toscano, the moderator of the finance council for St. Joseph parish, said the exterior of the church had received the needed attention and next up would be working on the interior. Conrad Schmitt Studios of Wisconsin designed the renovated interior of the church, she said.