Wilkie landmark undergoes major renovations

WILKIE - Over the past few weeks there has been a great deal of activity at St. James Roman Catholic Church, a familiar landmark in Wilkie.

The church was built in the mid 1950s, and over the years, the building has seen the wear and tear of age. A generous parishioner, who recently passed, gave the church a substantial donation that was designated for restoration of the outside of the church.

The project has included the repair and painting of the massive roofs and domes, painting the outside of the building plus repair and painting of the three flights of stairs into the building. There are plans for landscaping around the church that will be completed in the spring. The cost of the renovation will be approximately $200,000.

It has been an eye-catching project, with people stopping to see what was going to happen next. The painstaking restoration work was completed just before the arrival of winter.

The church was built with volunteer labour, with the official opening held July 25, 1957. Over the years the church has held daily church services, Easter and Christmas services, weddings, funerals, family get togethers, fall suppers, teas and other events like the annual Christmas carol festival. The Knights of Columbus and Catholic Women’s League have met regularly, planning events throughout the year.

The bells of the church can be heard throughout town at the supper hour.