Parish marks anniversary with makeover
BY CALEB SHEAFFER
STAFF WRITER
Published: Saturday, August 16, 2008 4:10 AM EDT

WILKES-BARRE — The golden domes facing the Cross Valley Expressway will shine a bit brighter at the end of this summer.

The domes, which belong to St. Mary’s Assumption Byzantine Church on 695 N. Main St., will be redone in gold-leafing as part of an almost $350,000 restoration project at the church.

The church was built in 1908 and to celebrate the anniversary the parish raised money to restore the important pieces of the church’s appearance.

This includes the characteristic twin golden domes on top of the church and the icon screen inside the church.

“We’re trying to get the church back to the condition it was in 100 years ago,” said St. Mary’s the Very Rev. James Hayer.

Hayer hoped the restoration would be complete by Sunday Aug. 17, the date the church celebrates its anniversary. Unfortunately, prior jobs and weather delayed the contractors and only the inside of the church will be finished by Sunday.

“At least the inside of the church will be done for the anniversary, and that is the important thing,” Hayer said. “Right now, we are shining a light on the gold dome. At least it’s lit up.”

On Sunday, the parishioners are planning a reception at the church and a visit from Bishop William Skurla, of the Byzantine Catholic Diocese of Passaic, N.J.

After the reception, parishioners are invited to go to the Luzerne County Courthouse, where the county commissioners will recognize the second annual Byzantine Catholic Day in Luzerne County.

The events landed on the same day by chance, but Hayer thinks it is the sign of God’s blessing.

The church has been saving money for about three years to complete the restoration.

The gold was purchased last year to cut costs on the price, on the recommendation of the major contractor, Francis Hutta Building Contractors, based in Lansford.

Though the golden domes and the elaborately decorated icon screen may seem ostentatious to some, Hayer said the two items are important to the church and its parishioners.

“The building is a reflection of our commitment to God,” Hayer said. “The way we care for that temple is the reflection of the way we care for God in our lives.”

Frank Cunius, a specialized woodworker based in Exeter, was hired to complete the woodwork on the icon screen. Cunius does detailed woodwork for many area Byzantine Catholic churches, from Hazleton to Scranton.

During a tour of his workshop, Cunius showed the different pieces of the icon screen he was finishing — complete with elaborate leaf and grape designs. Raymond Mastroberte, of Lansford, painted the new additions to the icon screen.

The restoration of the outside of the building, including repointing and the gold-leafing, will be finished by late summer or early fall.

The first Divine Liturgy in the church was celebrated on Palm Sunday of 1908. St. Mary’s was built under the leadership of the Rev. Nicholas Chopey, a priest there for 54 years.

As a parish, the church has existed since 1887. The church’s first building was across the street, at 666 N. Main St., now the parish social hall for St. Stanislaus Roman Catholic Church.

The church was started by immigrants of Slavic and Eastern European heritage, and established by Father John Wolansky.

Now, Hayer describes the church as a “destination church,” because about 300 families attend from all over Northeastern Pennsylvania.

“They attend here because something here speaks to them, and the drive is worth it,” Hayer said.

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