ST. JANE FRANCES de CHANTAL
For many years my wife Mary and I were members of the parish community at St. Jane Frances de Chantal in Sterling Heights, Michigan. During this time, I was commissioned to create many various pieces to fill the needs of the community worship space. The original furniture, Altar, Lectern, Tabernacle Stand, etc. were made of Walnut and had various numbers of walnut Fluted Columns. The pieces that I made are designed to match that furniture style.
ADVENT WREATHE STAND
Walnut Advent Wreathe Stand – 2006 – This Advent Wreathe Stand is made from walnut and features Fluted Walnut Columns and a 48″ diameter platform for the wreathe which is tilted from back to front at 20 degrees. Since the Advent Wreathe is only used for the four weeks of Advent, the stand can be dis-assembled for storage in a box specifically designed to safely house the individual parts.
48″Dia. x 52″H
PREDIUEX
Walnut Prediuex – 2009 – Walnut Prediuexs (Kneelers) two of a set of four pieces feature fluted walnut columns, padded kneelers and a box for books.
28″W x 22″D x 32″H
WALNUT LECTERN
Walnut Lectern – 2011 – Walnut Lectern features fluted walnut columns, a carving of the “Fluer de Lis,” wiring for a light and microphone, and a platform for a laptop computer that slides out from the right side.
28″W x 28″D x 42″H
WALNUT CUP CADDIES
Walnut Cup Caddies – 2014 – A set of three caddies designed to safely carry cups of un-consecrated wine to the Altar. For strength the cup holders are made from laminated walnut slices.
15″L x 6″W x 4.5″H
CREDENCE TABLE
Walnut Credence Table – 2015 – This piece features the fluted walnut columns, two drawers for linen storage and a shelf to store a tray.
32″W x 24″D x 30″H
PRAYER REQUEST BOX
Walnut Prayer Request Box – 2015 – This piece features the fluted walnut columns, a lockable deposit box for prayer requests and shelves for storage of blank paper and pencils. The Parish had a group of volunteers that would come together once a week and pray for the intentions of the requested prayers.
18″W x 18″D x 42″H
OAK PLANT STANDS
Oak Plant Stands – 2016 – A set of six plant stands of varied height.
12″W x 12″D x 24″, 30″, 42″H
OAK BOOK STAND
Oak Book Stand – 2017 – Oak Book Stand made to hold the Missal in the “Day Chapel.”
16″W x 12″D
St. John the Baptist
In 2018, we retired from our jobs and built a new home in Frenchtown, Montana. We joined the congregation at St. John the Baptist Parish in Frenchtown. St. John the Baptist Catholic Church was built in 1884 by french settlers from Quebec, Canada. It is listed in the National Register of Historic Buildings. Since joining this parish community, I have been asked to make several pieces to serve the need of the community.
CHERRY ALTAR
Cherry Altar – 2020 – I made this piece as a personal gift to the Pastor of the parish for his personal use in the Rectory. He liked it so much that he decided to use it in the “Day Chapel.” When he was relocated to St. Mary’s Parish in Stevensville, Montana, he took it with him to use in the Rectory of that parish. It features solid cherry raised panel construction, a carving, in hackberry wood, of “The Lamb,” candle shelves, and it folds up for ease of relocation.
52″W x 24″D x 40″H
MAHOGANY TRAVEL ALTAR
Mahogany Travel Altar – 2021 – This travel Altar was made at the request of our Pastor for use in Masses said away from the Church building proper; for example, every summer he leads a 7 mile hike to the top of St. Mary’s Peak in Stevensville, MT. where he celebrates a Mass at the peak. Quite an amazing experience.
The Altar is made from African Mahogany. It weighs 20 lbs. and features storage required items, telescoping aluminum legs, a luggage handle, attachments for back pack straps, and a removable Plexiglas insert for placement of a relic.The images on the arched “back drop” panels were laser etched by others.
19″W x 13″D x 8.75″H (40″ Tall when fully assembled)
OAK CHAPEL ALTAR
Oak Chapel Altar – 2021 – This Altar was made to replace the one that was relocated to Stevensville. Made from red oak it features fluted oak columns, raised panels, inlay banding and a carving of the “Chi Rho/ Alpha and Omega” symbols in walnut on a fluted maple field. The matching candle stands have a top section that is removable so the candles may be carried in a procession.
72″W x 32″D x 42″H
PASCHAL CANDLE STAND
Oak Paschal Candle Stand – 2020 – This piece was made at the request of the Parishioners at St. Albert the Great Catholic Church in Alberton, MT. It is made from white oak with a white wash finish. It is designed in the “Mission” style and features “through tenons” where the slats meet the top.
12″dia. x 60″H
CHERRY HANDRAILS
CHERRY HANDRAIL 04/2023 – The three steps up into the Sanctuary at St. John the Baptist Church needed handrails to assist the elderly and disabled enter. I made the two cherry handrails from cherry wood to match the existing “Communion Rail.”
36″ H x 42″ L
REFINISHED PLASTER CRUCIFIX
REFINISHED PLASTER CRUCIFIX – 09/23 – A fellow parishioner inherited this Crucifix from his grandfather’s estate. It was originally finished with a single medium dark brown colored glaze. The finish was peeling and cracking and was in very poor condition. I was asked to refinish the piece. So, I stripped off the old glazing and painted it with artist’s oil paints. The plaster casting depicts two tree trunks forming the Cross and is adorned with a vine and red roses. The completed piece has a clear matte protective spray coating. My friend has donated the Crucifix to the Parish in honor of his grandfather.
22″ H x 10″ W