Thu. Mar 28th, 2024

The construction at St. Matthew’s Church and elementary school has become a familiar sight and the renovations have been in the works for some time now, but according to Father Joseph Orr, the project is moving along on schedule.
In fact, Orr said the project is now 60 percent complete and ahead of schedule. The contract with The Orr Group in Altoona states July 20 as the project’s end date, but contractors expect to be done by mid June.
On July 28, the Bishop is scheduled to be on hand for the dedication of the facilities.
The renovation process began in 2002 but visions for project date back as far as 1995.
“We had a great need for increased parking and up to date facilities,” said Orr.
The plans, which had to be scaled down a bit from the original version due to funding, include renovations and an addition to update the school, the church parish and to expand parking and other facilities. The work is being done between the church and the school and will include a gathering space, parish offices, preschool, a library and conference room and bathrooms.
Currently, the interior of the school is almost ready for painting and all the rough wiring and plumbing is complete. By May 1, the parish center will be vacated to allow for demolition so work on the parking lot can begin.
Sometime near Easter, the preschool will begin meeting in Harkin’s Hall and will continue there until summer break. The parish office will move to Father Orr’s dining room at 1205 Cameron Avenue to make way for demolition of the former rectory.
The school building is being completely renovated and was stripped down to the bricks. There is a brand new roof along with new windows, doors and heating and electrical systems.
There will also be a new security system installed, including cameras at the entrance and magnetic locks.
In a previous Daily Herald article, Father Orr said the idea was to make the facility “more hospitable”, so a decision was made to make the entry way into the church “something attractive.” Orr said the concept was to make it “something that would make people feel at ease and welcome.”
There will also be a new entrance to the school which will be located on the parking lot side of the building. It will feature an overhang where buses can drop students off. The parking lot will be extended all the way to the new rectory and the entrance will also be moved down.
With all the construction, permission was also granted to move the sidewalk along Cameron Avenue in two feet to create more room along the street in front of the facility.
Previously Orr said the project was made possible by a former student, Leonard Zanghi, who had been a student at the school some 80 years ago and had remembered the parish and school “that gave him a good start in life.”

By Rick