By Chris Valley

On August 6, 1982, Atlanta’s oldest landmark was ravaged by fire. The Shrine of the Immaculate Conception was already ablaze when the pastor, Father Thomas Giblin, O.F.M., discovered the flames. By morning, the historic church had been reduced to a hollow shell.

But, like the city it has so lovingly served for over 100 years, the Shrine is today rising phoenix-like from its charred brick, shattered stained glass, and wind blown ashes.

The Archdiocese of Atlanta holds replacement insurance on the structure. This insurance is paying for the rebuilding. Completion is scheduled for spring of 1984.

Reconstruction began in the fall of 1982. The first order of business was cleaning up the debris left by the fire. Then replacement of the roof was undertaken. With the new roof in place, work on the interior could begin.

“We were fortunate that the walls are structurally sound,” says Father Giblin. “Still it takes a long time to rebuild – probably just as long as it would to start from the ground up.”

Architectural work on the rebuilding is being done by Atlanta architect Henry Howard Smith, A.I.A. The archdiocese contracted the construction to the M.E. Durden Company.

The rebuilding is essentially a restoration of the church. The architect used historical information from a thesis written on the Shrine by an Emory University student some 30 years ago. Photographs from the Atlanta Historical Society and the Georgia Bulletin files also assisted the architect. Mr. Smith’s father, also an architect, earlier had done research on Atlanta architecture and had documented the background of the original architect who conceived the church building in the 1800s.

From 1869 up to 1969, a process of evolution occurred, Henry Smith said. In 1969, renovation was done to accommodate the principles of worship mandated by the Second Vatican Council. The current rebuilding aims to incorporate both the original design and the 1969 renovations.

“The challenging thing is to duplicate the original design in such a way that present-day craftsmen can execute it,” Henry Smith notes.

Some structural modernization is to be expected. For example, the original roof structure was wood. The rebuilt roof is a steel structure. Use of steel will enhance the stability of the building. It will also allow heating and air conditioning equipment to be installed in the transept (space between the roof and the ceiling). This will make the heating and cooling system more efficient and quieter, according to the architect. “The previous heating and cooling units were placed below the windows. They were noisy and lacked the efficiency to cool the center of the nave (the main body of the building).”

The altar and statues were not greatly damaged in the fire, according to Father Giblin, but were blackened by smoke and heat. The marble is being cleaned and restored.

While very little modernization is being done, the church will look different when completed. It will not be exactly as it was before the fire. “It will be more like it was when originally built,” maintains Henry Smith.

The main change which will be noticed upon entering the restored church is the addition of individual fresco paintings of the twelve Apostles on the ceiling. The original ceiling had these paintings which were done between the 1860s to 1880s.

“The original paintings had disappeared over time because the roof had leaked for many years,” the architect notes. “The ceiling had twelve large panels, defined by plaster beams and ribs. Within each ceiling panel was a fresco of an Apostle. This is being restored.” A local artist, Henry Barnes, is executing the frescoes.

Replacing the church’s stained glass windows is nearly complete. “We had photographs of some of the windows, and fragments of others,” Henry Smith explains. The new windows were designed by a French artist, Robert Pinart, and executed by the Cummings Studios of North Adams, Mass. They reflect similar themes to those in the original windows, but different artwork.

Besides roofing, frescoes and stained glass, a whole new floor is being laid, as well as a new ceiling for the ground floor activity center. A new organ is being built and promises to be a great asset to the church.

“Hardly a day goes by when men are not working on the restoration,” comments Father Giblin. “We’ve been blessed with wonderful help, both in the restoration and from our neighbors.

“Even before the fire was put out, we had an offer from Central Presbyterian Church to use their church for our worship. And the Trinity United Methodist Church offered to house our Saturday program for the homeless, St. Francis’ Table. We’re eternally grateful to both of these congregations,” continues Father Giblin.

Henry Smith notes, “Each church is different and it takes a team effort. We’re fortunate to have contractors who are sensitive to what is wanted and who try to accomplish it … After you work on something like this for a year it becomes a part of you. I’ll always feel that this church is a part of me.”