PEW RESTORATION project

The pew restoration project really got underway on Monday, January 9, 2023, when, immediately following 7:30 a.m. Mass, the first 10 rows of pews were carefully dismantled, wrapped and taken away for restoration by members of the team at the renowned Kittinger Furniture Company of Buffalo.



All of the hard work takes place at Kittinger's facility in Amherst, N.Y.  There, the team dissassembles the pews, scrapes the old finish off, buffs and sands -- most of it by hand due to the intricacy of the carvings, stains and reassembles them.  In addition, new upholstery will be added to the kneelers for comfort and aesthetics.  

The first set (10 rows) of refinished pews were installed shortly after Easter and work immediately began on the second section.  Work will continue from the front of the Shrine to the back on a total of four sets of pews. 


Stay updated...

It is our commitment to keep the community up to date as this exciting project gets underway and continues for the next several weeks. 

  • If you have any questions or concerns at all, just call the Rectory at (716) 828-9444. 
  • We will also be communicating through the parish bulletin and parishioner robocalls and our social media channels ... if you don’t already follow us on social media, now is the perfect time to do so!

Support our Shrine!

Click below to support these ongoing preservation efforts to ensure OLV National Shrine & Basilica is able to remain a point of pride for our Western New York community. Every gift makes a big difference!

 

  • Pew were carefully wrapped and removed from the Basilica in January.
  • The first set of pews were reinstalled shortly after Easter.