Utica church renovating

What started out as just a new bell tower at the church turned into a renovation of the sanctuary and replacing a steeple. 

St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Utica, Nebraska is more than 125 years old. 

70 years ago, during a lightening storm, their steeple was struck by lightening and burned.

 “It was never replaced,” Father Maurice Current said. 

Two years ago, the church noticed how bad of shape the bell tower was in, so with some help from a committee board, the church decided it was time for a new one. 

Along with the new bell tower, they thought it was time to fix some of the interior, and thanks to a generous donation, they were able to replace the steeple. 

“An anonymous donor donated the steeple itself, and they decided what type it was going to be copper or metal, and it just moved from there,” Colette Stelling, St. Patrick’s committee member, said. 

The members hope to be in the renovated church by Mother’s Day.