St. Peter Catholic Church

Omaha, Nebraska

Challenge

As the parish’s 125th anniversary approached in 2011, Pastor Damien Cook began the search for a decorative arts studio that could help realize his vision for the new interior. He reached out to Conrad Schmitt Studios, not knowing that CSS had previously decorated parts of the church in 1946 and again in 1959. Following this work, the construction of an interstate highway in 1960 had scattered the church’s parishioners and led to a downturn in the neighborhood that continued for many years. Dwindling attendance and deferred building maintenance were reflections of the shrinking neighborhood population, as many families relocated to the suburbs following the construction of the interstate. Pastor Cook’s goals for this new renovation were nothing short of revitalization for the entire struggling neighborhood. He dreamed of an inspirational space that would attract and welcome all members of the community. He planned to create a vision of heaven on earth, starting with a beautiful interior space that would inspire the community.

Solution

As the parish’s 125th anniversary approached in 2011, Pastor Damien Cook began the search for a decorative arts studio that could help realize his vision for the new interior. He reached out to Conrad Schmitt Studios, not knowing that CSS had previously decorated parts of the church in 1946 and again in 1959. Following this work, the construction of an interstate highway in 1960 had scattered the church’s parishioners and led to a downturn in the neighborhood that continued for many years. Dwindling attendance and deferred building maintenance were reflections of the shrinking neighborhood population, as many families relocated to the suburbs following the construction of the interstate. Pastor Cook’s goals for this new renovation were nothing short of revitalization for the entire struggling neighborhood. He dreamed of an inspirational space that would attract and welcome all members of the community. He planned to create a vision of heaven on earth, starting with a beautiful interior space that would inspire the community.