COVINGTON, La. - Three months after suffering a devastating flood, the St. Joseph Abbey will resume regular and daily services for the public and monastery community beginning this Sunday, June 19 at 7:30 a.m.
The Abbey Church was damaged during the flooding in March. Though the church itself did not flood, the basement did flood, damaging electrical and air-conditioning systems that are crucial to maintaining the integrity of the church's murals, as well as much needed for comfort in the summer heat.
“The church is the heart of our lives here," said Abbott Justin Brown. "You sometimes take for granted that we readily have access to this beautiful, peaceful church. Not until it’s missing from your daily life, do you realize how much it means to not only us, but also the community at large. Having it back will be like having our hearts back.”
Of the first three phases of recovery for the Abbey and Seminary College – identified as clean up, remediation, and reconstruction, phase two of remediation has recently been finalized with reconstruction next on the horizon. Total costs are expected to approach $30 million. The remainder of the grounds remain closed to the public.
Those attending Mass Sunday should note that due to ongoing construction, restroom availability will be limited to Benet Hall, which is across the parking lot from the Church.
