Garrettsville – Back in the days of Moses, God called upon master craftsmen and woodworkers to dedicate their giftedness for His purposes and the greater good. From the ancient tabernacle to the Ark of the Covenant and all the tabernacle’s furnishings, every detail was carried out by the craftsmen God appointed for the task. Today, skilled craftsmen still hear His voice and obey His leadings.
World-renowned woodcarver Joe Leonard didn’t hear an audible voice but he obeyed a certain calling that compelled him to spend the past few months crafting new custom furnishings as a donation for St. Ambrose Catholic Church in Garrettsville. A member of the parish for the past 30+ years, Leonard said, “It was about time I did something for the church and the people.”
It all started with a request from a St. Ambrose committee member who asked Leonard to refurbish the aging baptismal font. Leonard was able to salvage the original bowl and cover but had to build the rest from scratch. Once that was complete, he realized that it made the rest of the altar’s furnishings look comparably shabby.
So, piece by piece, month by month, Leonard designed and built a new lectern and altar/sacrament table, and refurbished candle pillars to match the new set of oak furnishings with mahogany and walnut accents. The lectern — from which the priest delivers weekly sermons — is infused with symbolism, from the center-facing Alpha and Omega (Beginning and End) and Lamb to the interchangeable seasonal emblems marking Lent, Easter and other holidays.
“It was quite an adventure, to say the least,” Leonard says of the process, especially within the context of coronavirus shutdowns and cancellations. Not only has the church been closed for several weeks, but all of the art shows Leonard had planned to attend have been cancelled for the year. His J Leonard Gallery & Vintage Emporium on State Route 88 is also closed to the public for now, but he has spent overtime in the workshop. It’s been a labor of love.
“I got kind of obsessed with it,” Leonard admits. “I felt I needed to do what I was called to do.”
Leonard is looking forward to the moment when the church can re-open its doors and welcome back the congregation. Part of that joyful reunion will include the beautiful new furnishings gracing the altar. He also anticipates the eventual blessing of the furnishings by the bishop, which will include the integration of a holy relic.
“Beautifying the church is a visual symbol of the beauty and unity of the congregation,” Leonard shares.
“It’s taken a great deal of time and material but it was a pleasure to do these things,” Leonard says. “The challenge was inspirational and rewarding. I didn’t experience any divine revelations but I felt compelled to do it and I was excited to do it. I guess it was fitting to finish with the Alpha and the Omega. I think I’m done now.”
