Restoration Project

Thanks to Don Lipasek for donating his time and talent to restore these historic artifacts.  
The items have been beautifully restored and will serve as a beautiful momento to all those who attended church at St. Philip Neri in Franklin.
Generations to come can reflect upon the early years of the church and the dedication the early parishioners gave to building the church, then moving it to it's last location on 69 Highway.   They can also appreciate the hard work of the current "pioneers" who worked to save the items from the church and to see that they held a significant place within the community's structure.  Visitors to the new Community Hall can view the items as they will be displayed there.  The exterior concrete artifacts will be placed in the new Community Park. The bell from the church tower will adorn the sign at the new Community Hall.

Jerry and Candy (Toschi) Pitts have made a tremendous donation to the community of Franklin.   Jerry and Candy have donated everything we want from the church. This gift to our Community is wonderful. We can never thank them enough.

The brick will be used in making a memorial sign and historical display at the future walking park which will be located at the old hall site.   he concrete items removed from the face of the church will be incorporated into the signs.  

 If you are willing to help with any of the projects please send me an e-mail. As you can see from the pictures this was no small task.   The items were very heavy but with the help of this caring group we were able to salvage everything with not one item being damaged.   The community of Franklin owes a great debt to the Toschi/Pitts family for their kind donation to the community, to the group of men who spent many hours removing the items and to Don Lipasek for restoring them.   The items could have been sold but through the Toschi/Pitts generosity these historical items will always remain a part of the community of Franklin.  Future generations will have the opportunity to see and touch these items and feel the spirit that lives on in Franklin.  



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As they were when removed from the church








St. Philip Neri
E-mail: memrylane@yahoo.com