St. Jude Chapel

Project 55+ began in 2022 when a cataloging of needed repairs, upgrades and necessary improvements began. Since then, a number of projects have been completed but several more remain. 

Most importantly, the replacement of the original pews has become a priority. Installed in 1968, these pews are mostly particle board and veneer. The hymnal holders and kneelers continue to break. The finance council made the decision to move forward with replacing the pews. And since there is original carpet underneath the pews, the flooring would be replaced with new tile when the pews are. 

Funds raised for North Texas Giving Day will be used for the pews and flooring project which will be done in early 2027. 

Here is a list of those items that together with your generosity, we have accomplished:

• Replaced all 107 fire head sprinklers with new ones.
• Lighting in the lobby has been switched out and upgraded; all spotlights have been installed with correct bulbs and several of the spotlights for the altar have been switched out with new.
• Repair of all stained-glass windows, stations, and skylight stained-glass.
• Replacement of all skylight windows throughout the chapel.
• Exposed the skylight window in the front stairwell and outfitted with a sleeve that matches the stairwell providing more light for those using the stairwell. Stairs were filed down and evened out to be less of a trip hazard.
• Replacement of two HVAC units.
• The organ has had its final large pipes repaired. The entire organ has been repaired, touched up and tuned.
• Modified three pews to place wheelchair special seating (total of six spots).
• Installed two Stanley automatic door units.
• Installed two return ducts in the upstairs hallway to help with the humidity and circulation throughout the chapel.
• Fixed the lights in the Sitting Room, removed the lighting tapes around the stained-glass windows facing Main Street and changed out the lighting fixture in the confessional.
• Cleaned up the roof of all debris.
• Repaired the sidewalk.
• Installed new but temporary vinyl tile and removed the blue carpet in the sanctuary.
• Repaired the exterior wall and then cleaned and painted it. The underside of the mural was repainted and the outdoor speakers removed.
• Installed Infant of Prague on a shelf inside the sanctuary with a spotlight.
• Repaired the transition in the back stairwell to prevent any tripping.
• The water fountain was adjusted to be ADA compliant and outfitted with a water bottle dispenser for guests bringing their own water container.
• Two vents in the upstairs restrooms have been replaced with working motors.
• Installed an AED in the lobby.
• Interior lights of the chapel have been switched out for newer more efficient LED bulbs and the bulbs at the statues and mosaics.

We have several other projects that we would like to address as part of our Project 55+ initiative. We will take some time to raise more funds before tackling any of these: 

• Lighting of the Mosaic (Exterior), Sign and Cross – in 2017, the interior and exterior mosaics were repaired. Since the exterior mosaic is such a unique aspect of the chapel and efforts were made to restore and repair it, we have decided that the outdated lighting needs to be upgraded. Currently the type of light fixtures used create shadows that project onto the mosaic in the evening. We would use funds to upgrade the lighting and upgrade the lighting on the white curved wall facing Main Street to complement the mosaic lighting upgrade. 
• The Cross will also be cleaned, repaired, and given a paint treatment that will complement the Mosaic. 
• The Lobby Millwork – We are planning to update the fixtures in the lobby to be more modern while solving the problem of providing display opportunities as well as storage room. 
• Altar Marble and Railing – The railing over the years has become extremely loose and needs repair. There are also sections in the marble railing and altar that were repaired poorly. We plan to have a marble expert look at both to get an assessment and make the repairs. 

Thank you for your consideration, support, and ongoing generosity. 

 “The good we do lives on after us and it must give you [Mr. Hughes] much satisfaction and pleasure to have realized a long-held dream at last.”  John Kebrle to Monsignor Arthur Hughes May 21, 1968