ONEONTA _ St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church on Walnut Street is under renovation, and services are being held in the parish center across the street.
The renovation is a multiphase project, the Rev. Joseph Benintende said this week. The first phase is replacement of the roof, which includes removing the steeple and replacing it with a cupola, he said.
Asbestos also is being removed from overhangs near doors.
The $700,000 cost of the first phase was funded through a bequest by a former resident, Benintende said, adding that he couldn't identify the donor.
The steeple is being removed to ease tension on the roof, Benintende said, and the cupola will allow maximum daylight into the building.
Crews from Eastman Associates of Oneonta are working on the current phase of the project, Benintende said.
Work started last week, and the church is closed to the public, he said. Since earlier this month, services have been held in the gymnasium in the parish center, and he said the arrangement is working well.
The center previously was home to St. Mary's School, which now is on state Route 7 in the town of Oneonta. Masses are celebrated in the parish center at 4 p.m. Saturdays and 8:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Sundays.
Roof work will be finished before Christmas, Benintende said, with services to be held again in the church starting with a vespers service Dec. 20.
The second phase will be work on the air, heating and lighting systems, Benintende said, with costs and other details dependent on funding.
