Excellence Award Spotlight: Most Precious Blood Roman Catholic Church
The restoration of Most Precious Blood Church, an Art Deco masterpiece located in Astoria, New York, was a monumental effort aimed at preserving a historic landmark while ensuring its continued service to the community. Built in 1932, the church is one of the earliest examples of Art Deco ecclesiastical architecture in the US. Renowned architects Henry J. McGill and Talbot Hamlin masterfully blended Art Deco aesthetics with influences from Celtic architecture, creating a distinctive and timeless design.
Photo credit: Noel Sutherland
Drone photo credit: Zakorski Associates
"It is incredibly rewarding to see our team’s hard work and dedication recognized by the Preservation League of NYS,” said Project Architect Carlo Zaskorski. “This award is a testament to our commitment to excellence in preservation, and it reflects the collaborative spirit and expertise that our firm brings to every project."
"Being recognized by the Preservation League of NYS as a young Junior architect is incredibly motivating,” said Jason Galindo, Junior Architect at Zaskorski & Associates. “I hope this achievement highlights the importance of bringing more young voices into the field, where innovation and tradition can work hand in hand to keep our history alive."
Over the decades, the church’s structure, particularly the massive granite belfry, the steel-framed stained glass windows, and the roof, had suffered significant deterioration due to water infiltration and weathering. Beginning in 2008, the 15-year restoration project was meticulously planned and executed to address these issues while maintaining the church's original design integrity. The restoration process was carried out in phases, allowing the church to remain open for daily services and community activities throughout the construction period. "Every phase of the restoration was carefully planned to keep the church's doors open, allowing the community to continue their worship without interruption while we brought the building back to life," said Jason Galindo.
Key aspects of the restoration included the complete renovation of the exterior facades, belfry, and roof, as well as the careful repair and preservation of the interior Art Deco elements. The team worked diligently to restore the iconic geometric stained glass windows, the monumental steel frames, and the intricate terrazzo flooring, all of which are critical to the church’s unique character. The aluminum pinnacle adorned with a stylized peacock screen—a symbol of Christian rebirth—was also restored, ensuring it continues to be a beacon of hope against the night sky.
“Churches like Most Precious Blood are more than just buildings, more than just brick and mortar, glass and roofs,” said Project Architect Carlo Zaskorski. “They have tremendous spiritual importance, and I think that’s very valuable.” Junior Architect Jason Galindo added, “One of the most rewarding aspects of this project was seeing the community's reaction to the restoration. Many parishioners have deep personal connections to this church and being able to restore it to its former glory, while enhancing its durability, was an honor. It's a reminder of how architecture can touch lives across generations."
The project’s success lies in its balance of historical preservation with modern construction techniques, allowing Most Precious Blood Church to retain its architectural grandeur and spiritual significance. As the church celebrated its 100-year anniversary, this restoration not only honored its past but also secured its future, ensuring that it will continue to serve the community for generations to come.
Work in progress, l-r: A tradesperson working on the Art Deco pinnacle; the numbered blocks; A tradesperson rebuilding a wall.
Project team: Diocese of Brooklyn, Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio; Most Precious Blood Roman Catholic Church, Father Vedran Kirinici, Father William Krlis; Alberski PE, PHD, Tadeusz Alberski, PE; Jablonski Building Conservation, Inc., Mary Jablonski; Rocklyn Asset Corp., Robert Dadona, Peter Fede; RSE Associates, Liam O’Hanlon, PE; Vestacast, Piotr Kaminski; Victoria Consulting & Development, LLC, Dariusz Knapik, Nazariy Sukhovych; Zaskorski & Associates Architects, AIA, PC, Carlo Zaskorski, RA, Principal, Jason Galindo, Jason Popkin, RA, Mario Drakos.