The excitement was palpable and church packed for the dedication of the new St. Pius Tenth Catholic Church in Rochester, NY, on the feast day of St. Joseph. Parishioners patiently waited a long three years to set foot in their new home after a devastating New Year's Day fire destroyed their church, and they finally did so with immense gratitude and joy. Bishop Salvatore Matano presided over the service, consecrating the first bread and wine on a new custom altar and calling the rebirth "a true miracle of God." Rohn Design completed the church just in time for the Easter Holy Week. This was a bona fide resurrection from a tragedy that claimed all but two statues.
The parish Rebuild and Diocese of Rochester Committees, headed by Parochial Administrator Father Paul Bonacci and Committee Chair Brian Porter, worked with Liturgical Designer Rolf Rohn and his team to create a space that would preserve their rich history, strengthen their Catholic identity, and nurture the diverse community while satisfying Universal Church and USCCB guidelines as well as local building codes (including ADA compliancy).
They brought Rolf on early in the project, and he designed every last detail of the church to provide an inspiring new building with a traditional rectangular shape that fosters a greater sense of gathering around the altar and Reserved Eucharist. The new space offers seating for over 750 people with clear sightlines to enhance participation in the liturgy, space for the music ministry, a chapel for private prayer, a covered portico, and an open garden and gathering area. Carefully designed church lighting provides flexible focal and ambient illumination to support worship and highlight the artwork, while a spotlight casts a breathtaking shadow of the crucified Christ rising triumphantly above the Tabernacle—a meaningful touch for a community that endured so much.
Interior Designer Kathy Maglicco and her team conceptualized the liturgical furniture, flooring, interior finishes, artwork, crucifix, and liturgical appointments to harmonize with the space and vision. Artist Renate Rohn painted sacred images of Our Lady of Guadalupe and the Divine Mercy, which greet parishioners at the entrance. The team used a local company to fabricate the furniture, and neighboring churches contributed unused patrimony.
A gold leaf backdrop emphasizes private adoration of the outstanding tabernacle from the closed Sisters of Charity of New York chapel. Artist Julian Christina repaired donated Stations of the Cross that Artist Victoria Christina and Renate refinished with regal tones and gold backgrounds to complement the environment. Restored Blessed Mother and Child and Joseph statues with burn marks intact serve as reminders to the parishioners of their strength and resilience in the face of adversity. Finally, a custom hand-carved St. Pius Tenth with children encourages the foundation of faith for the next generation.
Rohn & Associates is honored to have worked with such a dedicated team who ensured this project came to fruition. From the raising of the exterior cross to the uncrating of the corpus, they welcomed us as we brought this labor of God to life, creating church artwork and devotional elements that celebrate faith, resilience, and devotion. This work follows in the tradition of churches rebuilt after fire, including Our Lady of the Assumption in Copiague, NY, where we led the liturgical design and sacred art for the parish’s renewed sanctuary.
