Following months of renovation, Santa Cruz Catholic Church, 1220 S. Sixth Ave., held its grand reopening Aug. 15.
The celebration, which featured mariachi music and a fiesta following Mass, marked the end of seven months of repairs both inside and outside of the church building.
The $550,000 project, done by Camwest Group, Inc., began in February and included the installation of a new air conditioning system, a new roof, improved lighting and flooring and a fresh coat of paint inside the church.
According to Parish Secretary Patty Ahumada, the church staff was pleased with the work, all of which was completed approximately $15,000 under budget.
The repairs were funded by grants, donations from the community and fundraising events.
Church parishioners plan to continue their fundraising efforts to paint the church exterior as well.
Santa Cruz Catholic Church celebrated Mass for the first time in 1919, and now appears on the National Register of Historic Places.
Mass schedules at the church have returned to normal. For more information, visit the church Web site at http://www.santacruzparish.org.
