New Bedford’s historic St. Lawrence Martyr Church being restored: How you can help

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New Bedford’s historic St. Lawrence Martyr Church being restored: How you can help

NEW BEDFORD — The beauty of the landmark granite edifice that is

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on Summer Street has struck parishioners and visitors for generation after generation.

The time has come for work on the imposing 19th century structure, designed by renowned church architect Patrick Charles Keely, to maintain that beauty.

Two renovation projects are underway.

“People walk into St. Lawrence Church and the first thing they see is a very beautiful church,” said church pastor, the Rev. Michael Racine.

“We’re trying to keep the beauty of this church,” he said. “There’s certainly a great need for the work.”

Fr. Michael Racine makes his way down a set of steps whose walls have suffered heavily from water damage at the St. Lawrence Church on County Street in New Bedford which will undergo major interior repairs. The church is still actively looking for donations to help pay for the project.

First step: Restore church clock tower

The first project is timely indeed, restoration of the church clock tower.

“That’s going to be done through

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that also does clock towers, restores clock faces,” Racine said. The work will not involve church bells.

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Fr. Michael Racine points to the wall areas on the sides of the altar which need to be repaired at the St. Lawrence Church on County Street in New Bedford which will undergo major interior repairs.

Next step: Repaint and restore church’s interior

The second project will be to paint and plaster the church’s interior, which hasn’t been done in years.

The $28,000 clock tower project has received final approval from the Diocese of Fall River, he said, and the work will be done in the spring.

The $200,000 painting-plastering project could begin following Easter, but that will depend on fundraising efforts.

While most of the clock tower money has been secured thanks to a substantial family donation, the church has recently embarked on fundraising for the second project.

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The nave of St. Lawrence Church on County Street in New Bedford which will undergo major interior repairs. The church is still actively looking for donations to help pay for the project.

How to donate and help church restoration

Racine said people can donate to either project online at

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. Go to St. Lawrence and click “donate.”

He said the church will continue its weekly Sunday Mass at 11:30 a.m., and all other services throughout the work.

“Funerals will not be interrupted. Weddings will not be interrupted. Baptisms will still take place. The church will not close during this.”

St. Lawrence’s long history in New Bedford

The original church was established as St. Mary’s in 1821, and was located on Allen Street, according to a history written by the Rev. Barry W. Wall, who was retired from St. Lawrence, grew up in the parish and was a graduate of Holy Family High School in New Bedford.

The familiar granite structure on County Street was built after the Civil War and was dedicated by Bishop John J. Williams of Boston in honor of Saint Lawrence in 1871. Saint Lawrence was one of the seven deacons of Rome who were martyred in the persecution of the Christians ordered by the Roman Emperor Valerian in the year 258.

This article originally appeared on Standard-Times:

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