Transfiguration Mission church completes renovations one year after devastating flood

Bella Bailey

Multimedia Correspondent

One year ago, in the early spring days of 2025, Transfiguration Mission church, Perry Park, situated near the Kentucky River, was rendered unusable after three feet of flood water destroyed all in its wake. The carpets, the pews and anything touching the floor had to be removed. After a painstaking year of renovations, the Church has opened its doors once more, inviting visitors and parishioners alike to come worship in a new space that inspires the “awesomeness” of the faith, said Father Thomas Picchioni, pastor.

To mark the occasion of the completion of the interior renovations, Bishop John Iffert traveled to the mission church, consecrated the altar, blessed the church and dedicated the new space, so that it might serve as a gateway to eternal life with Jesus for years to come.

The original Transfiguration Mission church was built in the seventies, and the interior reflected the design choices of the time, explained Father Picchioni. “It had a crucifix and everything, so you knew you were in a church, but that sense of awe seemed to be missing,” he said. When it came time to renovate the church post flood, Father Picchioni focused on deep liturgical themes and the want for a sacred space.

“I wanted people to feel a sense of peace just being here … a piece of ‘I’m in a different world now,” he said. “The intent of the whole redo was to get people to walk in here and just feel the awesomeness of what it means to be in a church.”

Because of the devastation caused by the flooding, the church was able to get an entirely new interior look. Originally, the tabernacle was off to the side, and the priest sat in the middle of the altar. Now, the tabernacle is situated on a new, wooden, high altar, adorned on the front with the carved image of the last supper. In addition, a new eternal flame was installed on the wall of the Church, replacing the one that was beside the tabernacle prior. The altar of sacrifice is also new, matching the gold detailing of the high altar, it depicts the sacrificial lamb with angels on either side. To match, the ambo is also a dark wood, with the imagery of the four evangelists.

The new sanctuary is larger than the old and was designed by Father Picchioni with the space in mind. “I wanted the sanctuary to be as big as possible … I designed it, gave it a unique look.” In addition, the crucifix that now hangs above the tabernacle, with a base of wood and gold detailing to match, was also handmade by Father Picchioni.

His vision for the new space came together, through determination and help of his parishioners, “I said, ‘I’m going to fight to put something together that is what I think is going to give glory to God,’” he said.

Parishioner Diane Webster said, “people were very impressed walking in and seeing all the new fixtures and just how refreshing and … it became more of a sacred space.”

“Seeing the time, effort, and money that got put into restoring it has definitely been very positive in our neighborhood, in our community, and it has definitely uplifted spirits … In some ways, it’s helped restore faith in some of our neighbors,” she said. “I think it makes them feel like their faith life is valued.”