Phase one of the restoration work at Assumption Church have been paid for in full.
Fundraising organizer Paul Mullins says phase one was expected to cost $1.4-million but it came in $60,000 under budget.
He updated the progress of the restoration work at the city's Heritage Standing Committee meeting on Monday
Mullins told the committee more fundraising dollars are needed to move forward with phase two.
He says phase two is expected to cost between $3-million to $3.4-million and will be done in sections.
"We divided that into three sections beginning with the aisle on the east side of the church," says Mullins. "That's been budgeted at one million, four hundred and 50 dollars. We have in hand 80 per cent of the money required for this first 2a section."
Interior of historic Assumption Church, August 12, 2018 (courtesy Mel Diotte)
He adds the next phase will not start until the funds are collected.
"Before we contract the work, we have to have the money in hand, in the bank to pay for it," says Mullins. "We're not in a position where we're going to permit the parish to occur any debt."
Mullins says phase two includes plastering and painting the ceiling, lighting upgrades and enhancements to the fire alarm system.
The price tag for phase two is between $3-million to $3.4-million.
The 174-year old church reopened in September 2019 after being closed for about five years because of its deteriorating condition.
Assumption Parish is the oldest parish in Canada, west of Montreal.
Parishioners sing hymns to open mass at Assumption Church in west-Windsor on Sunday September 8, 2019 (Photo by AM800's Gord Bacon)