'Back in business': restoration resumes at Assumption Church
Restoration at Our Lady of Assumption Church has resumed following a six-month pause due to lack of funding.
“Thanks to a very generous retired teacher, a 90-year-old that lives in Riverside, he donated over $100,000 in shares,” says local lawyer and project lead, Paul Mullins. “That put us back in business.”
Lori LeMare, a historic artist, is restoring the Sacred Heart of Jesus painting on the south wall in the St. Joseph Chapel. Last year, she discovered the painting was originally created by Guido Nincheri, a world famous artist.
Nincheri emigrated from Italy after trained at the Academy of Fine Arts in Florence. He later established a studio in Montreal and went on to decorate over 200 churches across Canada in the United States.
“It’s just astounding,” says Mullins. “We knew we had incredible artwork in the church and that the church itself was an iconic piece of history. But to actually find out that it was a world famous artist, who was the primary decorator of the church, who created over between 20 and 30 original pieces of art raises this project to a whole new level.”
Mullins says $5.65 million has been fundraised over 10 years to help in the restoration of the church. Another $1.5 million is needed to complete the interior, which he hopes will wrap up next year.
“2025 is the 100th anniversary since Nincheri decoration of Assumption Church,” Mullins adds. “I always live in hope that that million and a half dollars will come forward to complete this interior restoration on time to celebrate the centenary.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Rescuers race to free people trapped by Hurricane Helene after storm kills at least 40 in 4 states
Hurricane Helene left an enormous path of destruction across Florida and the entire southeastern U.S. on Friday, killing at least 40 people in four states, snapping towering oaks like twigs, tearing apart homes and sending rescue crews on desperate missions to save people from floodwaters.
U.S. fines Air Canada over flights over prohibited Iraqi airspace
The U.S. Department of Transportation said Friday it had fined Air Canada US$250,000 for operating flights in 2022 and 2023 in prohibited Iraqi airspace.
Ship, extra CAF members deployed near Lebanon in case of evacuation needs: defence minister
Defence Minister Bill Blair says there is a ship in place near Lebanon, as well as 150 deployed additional Canadian Armed Forces members prepared for a military-assisted departure of stranded Canadians, if more violence in the region requires it.
BREAKING Israeli airstrikes hit the southern suburbs of Beirut after another strike destroyed buildings
The Israeli military struck Hezbollah's headquarters in Beirut on Friday in a series of massive explosions that targeted the leader of the militant group and levelled multiple high-rise apartment buildings.
Killer who stabbed victim 'at least 52 times' dies in B.C. prison
A 72-year-old inmate serving a life sentence for a brutal murder that happened in Chilliwack in 2016 has died, according to the Correctional Service of Canada.
P.E.I. shellfish festival gastrointestinal illness outbreak largest in province's history: health officer
More than 550 symptomatic people responded to an online questionnaire about a gastrointestinal illness at a Prince Edward Island shellfish festival last weekend.
Former military reservist sentenced for shotgun video calling Liberal MP a 'communist agent' for China
A former Canadian military reservist has been sentenced to house arrest after posting a video of himself firing a shotgun at a picture of a member of Parliament whom he accused of being a "communist agent" for China.
Canada booking seats on flights out of Lebanon as violence escalates
Global Affairs Canada began booking blocks of seats on the few remaining commercial flights leaving Lebanon on Friday as it issued another urgent plea for any Canadians in the country to leave immediately.
Family of man who died in incident involving Calgary police issues statement
The family of Jon Wells, a man who died in an incident involving Calgary police earlier this month, say they are seeking time to grieve their loss.