St. Bridget Church undergoes major renovation

Upon entering St. Bridget Church in Schriever for the first time after a seven-month long renovation process was undertaken, one is almost overwhelmed by the striking difference and how much brighter and grander the church looks, thanks to a much lighter, more elegant color palette throughout.
 
St. Bridget Church recently went through a major renovation for the first time in its history. The parish was established Dec. 16, 1911, at the corner of Highway 24 and Highway 311. The current church, built in a "country gothic" architectural style, was dedicated over 66 years ago on Sept. 8, 1955.

Very Rev. Simon Peter Engurait, V.G., administrator of the parish since February 2017 and pastor since February 2018, says he felt the renovations, which began April 19, 2021, were necessary because the pews and the floors were worn out from decades of use, and the confessional area had not been used for a long time.

Success of the Capital Campaign
A capital campaign, Celebrating Our Past, Building Our Future, raised a total of $308,000 for the renovations. Thus far, the total cost for the renovations is $289,000. Father Engurait notes that the cost would have been much higher had it not been for some of the services being rendered pro bono.

“The success of this renovation project is a miracle and a manifestation of the commitment of the people to God and the church,” says Father Engurait. “It was undertaken in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic and a downturn in the economy. Some advised that it was ‘too big’ a project for the St. Bridget community and that the timing was bad. In spite of all that, people were very generous and gave of their time, treasure and talent to make the renovation a reality.”

The Transformation
The key focus of the renovation, says Father Engurait, was on installing new pews and new flooring in the main body of the church. Forty brand new, tailor-made pews were installed to replace the existing ones that were original to the church, many of which were broken, cracked or just worn out. In addition to being replaced, the spacing between the pews was also adjusted to allow for better flow going in and out of them.

In addition to new porcelain tile flooring and new pews, the bricks were painted, the electrical system upgraded from two phase to three phase and modernized with new electrical panels; and new LED cove lighting was installed. The baptismal font was moved to the middle of the aisle at the entrance of the church and new pews were put in its old location. Three handicap spaces for wheelchair access were added on both sides of the church, and the bathroom was renovated.

The old boiler system for winter heating was decommissioned; and as a result, the associated wall heat ventilators were removed from the outer, interior walls and the indention was covered with bricks, adding about six to eight inches of aisle space on both sides.

The old confessional was removed and a statue of the Pieta was placed in the recessed area in the back of the church. Father Engurait explains that the original plan was to renovate and remodel the confessional in order to bring it back to use. This plan, however, entailed pro bono services such that the only direct cost would be for materials. When the pro bono service was no longer available, he says it was decided that the area be used for the Pieta.

The Renovation Committee
Deacon Stephen Brunet, chairman of the renovation committee, says the committee was made up of members of the pastoral and finance councils, music ministry, decorating committee, and some long-time parishioners. “The committee was charged with decisions such as what type of flooring would work, what kind of pews – the design, style, color and finishing – and whether the interior brick would be painted, and when that decision was made, they were involved in deciding on the paint color.”

Parishioners’ Reactions
Deacon Brunet says he thinks people are going to be surprised and excited to see the dramatic change that the renovation has provided for the church, especially in the sanctuary. The new lighter walls accent the stained glass windows and the marble on which the crucifix hangs, explains the deacon, and that causes your eyes to be drawn to the crucifix.

A few parishioners share their feelings upon seeing the church for the first time after the renovations had been completed.

Betty Giroir, a parishioner her entire life, says the renovation is just gorgeous. “The church looks so much bigger and brighter. And, the spacing of the pews makes it so much more comfortable.”

Mike and Melanie LeBouef, also lifelong parishioners, say the church certainly looks much different. “It’s much brighter and the pews are comfortable. Whoever did the renovations, did a fabulous job,” says Mike. Melanie says she likes how they tied in the new floors to the existing floor in the sanctuary. When they first saw the drawings, however, the LeBouefs were concerned it might look a little too modern. But both are pleased that the renovation preserved the history and architecture of the church.

Clare Olin says “I’ve grown up in the St. Bridget community, and this church means so much to me. I feel very blessed to be a part of this historic renovation. The changes made not only highlight the church’s beauty, but give our community a wonderful place to worship.”

Two Patrons
When the church parish was established in 1911, it was named for St. Brigitte Plantation, which was named after Brigitte Emelie Belanger Thibodaux, wife of Gov. Henry Schuyler Thibodaux, who founded Terrebonne Parish and the City of Thibodaux. Over the years, statues and paintings of St. Bridget of Sweden and St. Bridget of Ireland have been incorporated in the church’s décor, both having been embraced by the parishioners as their patron.

As stated in The Rites of the Catholic Church, Chapter II: “Dedication of a Church,” from the early times, a “church” has been the name given to the building in which the Christian community gathers to hear the word of God, to pray together, to receive the sacraments and to celebrate the Eucharist. Every church to be dedicated must have a titular. This may be the Blessed Trinity, the Holy Spirit, the Blessed Virgin Mary, one of the angels, or a saint. And, according to the The Rites of the Catholic Church, a church should have one titular only.

Saint Bridget of Sweden
Although he is aware of the history behind the naming of the church, Father Engurait says to be in accord with The Rites, the church was recently rededicated in the name of Saint Bridget of Sweden at a Mass of Dedication celebrated by Bishop Shelton J. Fabre upon completion of the renovations.

Of the decision to dedicate the church to St. Bridget of Sweden, Father Engurait says in January 2019, he made a pilgrimage to Italy, and while in Rome he visited two places where St. Bridget of Sweden had been. “The first place was the house where she lived, which is still used by her followers, the Bridgettine Sisters, as a convent. The second was the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls where I learned about the life size crucifix which spoke to St. Bridget of Sweden, as she visited it regularly. I was since then drawn more and more to her and there grew a devotion.”

When the need arose to designate the church to one saint, he says the decision to choose St. Bridget of Sweden was obvious to him, and those he consulted with in the community readily accepted the decision.