Most Blessed Sacrament Church grading completed, ready for framing three years after fire
FRANKLIN LAKES — Three years after a fire destroyed Most Blessed Sacrament Church, grading has been completed and construction can proceed for what is now estimated to be a $17.4 million new sanctuary.
Donnelly Construction oversaw tree removal and leveling through the fall after the Sept. 17 groundbreaking ceremony.
In a December sermon on the third anniversary of the fire, the Rev. John Job expressed "a profound sense of serenity and gratitude for so much and so many people."
The structural steel needed to frame the building "is currently being manufactured, and though winter weather will no doubt be a factor in the next couple of months, everything is right on schedule as of the moment," according to a November report on the church's rebuild website.
Services for the 2,000-family congregation are being held in the church's adjacent Academy of the Most Blessed Sacrament while the new church is under construction. Academy students have made "field trips" across the parking lot during the fall to examine the site, and some have participated in consultation sessions to make one of many decisions regarding the church's restoration.
"I felt very included during the meeting and talking with the pew-making company was great," said Student Council President Lorenzo Guardino, who participated in seating selection. "I can't wait to see those pews in our new church."
$16M REBUILD APPROVEDTwo years after arson destroyed Franklin Lakes church, town OKs $16M rebuilding plan
In an August letter to members, Job said the project's progress has been stalled by a lengthy insurance process, COVID isolation, and resulting scarcity and higher cost of building materials. He estimated the church had $13.7 million toward the project and is trying to raise $3.7 million more.
Story continues below photo gallery.
The church was about to undergo a $2.6 million renovation when it burned to the ground on Dec. 11, 2019. Parish member James Mayers, 26, was arrested at the scene and confessed to setting the fire. A year later he was found not guilty by reason of insanity and committed to Greystone Park Psychiatric Hospital in Morris Plains.
In an email statement Thursday, Mayers' attorney Lee Vartan said Mayers "is in the process of being released from Greystone to a group living environment."
YEAR LATERYear after fire, Franklin Lakes church arsonist found not guilty by reason of insanity
"We are incredibly pleased with his progress and his speedy reintegration into the community," Vartan said.
Construction is projected to take 15-18 months.
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: M ost Blessed Sacrament Church in Franklin Lakes ready for framing
