By Katie Vasquez
Parishioners were excited to see the new renovations at Christ the King Church.
“We couldn’t wait to have this beautiful home to come to,” said parishioner, Janice Vialva.
“It is so beautiful. You walk in and you’re like, is this our church?” said parishioner, Jean Philbert.
It was after a visit from Brooklyn’s Bishop Emeritus, Nicholas DiMarzio, in 2020, that pastor, Father Gordon Kusi knew it was time for a change.
“When we come to liturgy, you want a presentable place and to see the choir, sometimes almost on the altar, especially when the bishop visit,” said Father Kusi.
On top of appearance, Father Kusi says it was difficult to hold funerals and the tabernacle was hidden. It was one thing Jean Philbert noticed when she joined the church 24 years ago.
“When you enter the church, first thing you look for is the tabernacle. And I was like where’s the tabernacle. Then they told me, it’s on the side,” said Philbert.
Work started in February to replace the carpet on the altar with marble, all new woodwork, tabernacle and a dedicated choir space.
The total cost was about 1.6 million dollars, a commitment to the community.
“After spending all this money to rebuild the church, we are not going to close the church anytime soon,” said Father Kusi, “this is what we are going to leave for our grandchildren and great grandchildren.”
But the pastor wants his flock to look beyond the beauty of the sacred space.
“I invited them to rekindle their faith and be happy, both physical and spiritual.”
And this church feels more like home than ever for its parishioners.
“It’s such a good end, you know, to look and see the finished product that I want to get married again here,” said Vialva.
“It will be so special that I don’t think we will want to leave,” said Philbert.