WESTBROOK – After a nearly seven-year process to consolidate Westbrook’s Catholic churches into a single parish – St. Anthony of Padua – roughly $4 million in renovations to St. Hyacinth Church on Brown Street have been completed, allowing for regular Masses to resume just in time for Christmas.

Each phase of the renovation, beginning on what’s known as the mezzanine level, and culminating in a complete overhaul of the main worship level, was funded by the sale of Westbrook’s St. Edmund and St. Mary’s churches, as well as buildings owned by St. Hyacinth. The move was part of a strategic plan formulated by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Portland to consolidate in the face of a dwindling parish base and rising costs.

The reconfigured space allows for an attendance of 612, plus 12 handicapped spaces. During times of overflow attendance, such as Christmas and Easter, there are also 50 seats in the newly renovated balcony.

In 2006, Paul Concannon was named chairman of the project’s building commission, which directed the planning and coordination for each phase of the construction, which began in the fall of 2008.

“We had factions who wanted to keep the church the same, and factions who wanted to change it,” he said last week. “It was my job to bring everyone together.”

Concannon estimates that about 1,000 families belong to the new parish.

He said that although there might have been initial hard feelings between members and staff of the parishes after the consolidation began, the new combined parish has been successful.

“There was a long process to decide where we would build the new church,” he said. “At one time, it looked like it was going to be at St. Mary’s.”

However, Concannon said that in the end, the decision to use St. Hyacinth was based on its large size, able to accommodate the most people, and granite structure, which would have been more difficult to sell.

St. Edmund’s, off Route 302, was sold in 2006, while St. Mary’s, on Main Street, was sold in 2009, along with its adjoining school building. The convent, school building, and Walker Field, previously owned by St. Hyacinth, were also sold in 2012. This year, the sale of the rectory at 295 Brown St. was finalized.

According to the welcome guide of St. Anthony’s, “Westbrook, along with many parishes in the United States, suffered a decline in attendance with over 70 percent of Catholics dropping from attending church.”

The most recent and most visible renovations are more than $1 million in work done to the worship space, complete with a new glass-door entrance, refurbished floors and balcony, and all-new pews.

Concannon said the purpose of the renovations was not just to update the aging building, but also to provide a new look for the space.

“Our goal was to at least make it look different, so that people coming from the other parishes felt they didn’t lose their church,” he said. “It’s a new church for everyone.”

Monsignor Andrew Dubois, moderator of the Curia for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Portland, said in a statement on Friday that members of the Catholic Church in Westbrook should be proud of their new communal parish.

“The renovated church of St. Anthony Parish is the culmination of many years of changes and sacrifices by the good Catholic people of Westbrook,” he said. “They can be proud of a newly refurbished space dedicated to the worship of God that is beautiful and inspiring.”

From August until just last week, the church hosted weekly Masses in the basement parish hall while the final phase of construction was completed. Concannon said last week’s snowstorm dampened the attendance for the first Mass in the new space, but that Sunday’s Mass was almost full, and that the parish is hoping for increased attendance leading up to the Christmas Masses.

Dubois also commented on the details of the changes to the church.

“The renovation clearly respects the community’s rich history and tradition, as can be found in the restored tabernacle and baptismal font,” he said. “The nave and sanctuary are bright, airy, and dignified, with a transcendent quality that lifts up one’s heart, mind and soul to God. St. Anthony’s parishioners and leadership are to be congratulated.”

All of the major work on the church was done by Portland-based firm Wright-Ryan, which hired other businesses to tackle the flooring and repainting.

Also added to the main worship space were all-new lighting, a replaced sprinkler system, and a new sound system and stage for music.

Prior to the final phase, major work was also done on what’s known as the mezzanine level, which now houses 16 rooms, including Catholic education classrooms, an office for the Rev. Reggie Brissette, senior priest, and the parish office. Also added, as a major component, was an elevator.

“It helps us move items between floors easier than before,” Concannon said. “Especially when we decorate for Christmas.”

“It’s a new church for everyone,” says Paul Concannon, who chaired the building committee for St. Hyacinth Church on Brown Street in Westbrook. He is showing off its new glass-door entrance, refurbished floors and new pews.