By Priscilla Greear - Florida Catholic

HALLANDALE BEACH | The light of Christ shines forth with new radiance this Advent season at St. Matthew’s Church in Hallandale Beach, following the recent completion of the sanctuary restoration during its 65th anniversary year commemoration.

Highlights of the project include restoration of the sanctuary’s crucifix and amber wood slatted wall panel in front of a freshly painted golden back wall and the installation of white marble flooring with reinforcement. Father Lazarus Govin, pastor of St. Matthew, said that the restored crucifix now illuminates the altar space–replacing the previous greenish tone.

The statues of Joseph and Mary have been moved to a prominent location in front of the sanctuary, alongside Jesus, to remind the faithful of their protective companionship.  “The massive crucifix displays the mother-of-pearl corpus of Jesus that seems to glow from inside out showering the devotee with the golden splendor of the divine life,” said Father Govin, who has served since 2022. “The light of the resurrection is coming from the body."

On the Feast of the Immaculate Conception Dec. 8, Archbishop Thomas Wenski celebrated the Mass to rededicate and bless the sanctuary alongside Father Govin and Msgr. Franklyn Casale, a retired priest.  Eduardo Arteche, music director, led the choir and orchestra in celebratory music, ranging from “Laudate Dominum” to “Festival Alleluia.” Parishioners filled the 420-seat parish for the joyful celebration. Before the liturgy, parishioner Rita Frohlich admired the sanctuary’s luminosity. “It’s so beautiful. It was dark, especially with dark red carpet. The first day I came I was like ‘wow, it’s brighter!”  Frohlich said. “I feel much better spiritually.”

Mayra Garcia has been a parishioner for 25 years and praised Father Govin’s hard work in updating the space with the “spectacular change.” She said the two steps to the sanctuary instead of three makes it easier to approach the altar as a eucharistic minister.

In his homily, Archbishop Wenski congratulated Father Govin for the beautiful restoration. “Prayer is the lifting up of our minds and hearts to God. The beauty of this sanctuary does help us to focus our minds on God and to open our hearts to Him.”

Father Govin gratefully acknowledged the generosity of current and past parishioners who made the project possible through their gifts and bequests. He also expressed thanks for the wisdom and guidance of the archbishop to help the church continue its journey of faith in Hallandale Beach. “It was magnificent, very spiritual, very uplifting. It is rewarding for the church community and with the sacrifice of parishioners,” he said following the rededication.

 Alexia Franky also experienced fresh inspiration. “I’m expressing myself even more joyfully. I’ve been here nine years and when they changed everything acoustically it’s like the vibration, it’s so spiritual and beautiful. It’s a blessing,” she said after playing violin for the Mass. “Knowing this is the original façade of the church has a special meaning.”

Archbishop Coleman Carroll established St. Matthew’s in March 1959, and the building was constructed in 1961 amidst a swampy field in the Golden Isles development of Hallandale Beach. Father Govin said that the parish of approximately 500 families was in need of a façade-lift after 65 years.

The sanctuary’s three-dimensional slatted-like wood wall was restored from a reddish hue to its original mid-century sacred design and the reredos plywood in front of it was removed. The new sanctuary furnishings — altar, ambo, tabernacle table, presiding chair and baptismal font — complement the holy space with clean lines, functionality and simplicity. The sanctuary’s new white marble creates a sense of spaciousness, with dingy red carpet removed from behind the altar. Red carpet and some bricks were also removed from the nave’s side aisles and replaced with white porcelain tile to match the rest of the space. The Holy Land Art Company was contracted for the renovation that took place from the summer through October, with Masses held in the parish hall.

“It enhances the space of worship, and it also is an improvement in acoustics. It’s a very beautiful wood and very unique three-dimensional wood. You can see the shadows and lights,” Father Govin said.

The improved acoustics will also amplify the sounds of the Rodgers Artist Series organ gifted to the church in 2017. The tapestries at the front entrance, created by a Dutch artist in 1976-77 for the bicentennial of pioneer settlers and the congregation, welcome the faithful to the illuminated worship space.

“Displaying a harmonious combination of natural materials like precious wood, bronze metal, glass and white marble stone, the dignity and elegance of its modest space of worship is highlighted. The golden background quietly shines through the geometrical simplicity of the amber wood of the sanctuary, creating a sense of harmony and calm that invites people to pray,” said Father Govin.