Robert Elliot and his team of artisans are diligently working to restore the statues and stations of Mary Queen of Angels Parish in Fort Scott. The original church was severely damaged by a fire in 2022, and now, as construction continues on a new church, Elliot and his crew are refurbishing, casting, painting, and doing whatever it takes to restore the church's original decor.

"The Stations of the Cross were badly damaged," Elliot explained. "There's not a single one that doesn't have cracks all the way through it. We have to ensure the structural integrity of each one."

To tackle the restoration process, Elliot and his team had to sort through the pieces of the damaged stations, reassembling them like a jigsaw puzzle. They then created molds to build the parts of the stations, which will be reassembled and painted according to a new color scheme that is in line with tradition.

"This is no small task," Elliot emphasized. "We've been removing layer by layer of paint and discovering new things. We're creating a new color scheme that will make the stations as nice or even nicer than they were originally 150 years ago. But it's a long, long process."

The restoration project has been systematic, starting with assembling and re-sculpting the figures of the stations. Elliot and his team are currently working on the frames and removing paint from other statues as well. The somewhat fragile plaster stations were damaged not only by fire but also by water and their removal.

"It's been quite arduous," Elliot admitted. "This project will require over 18 months of effort. To make it affordable for the church, I have donated half the cost. It's a labor of love, but it takes a lot out of me."

The team of artisans working on the project includes Mary Francis Skinner, the sculptor and "lead puzzle master," Kathy Faulkner, who is assisting with various aspects of the restoration and painting the robes on the statues, and Dan Ochs, a renowned mold maker who created the molds for the station frames. The Ibarra brothers, Michael and Hector, are highly skilled craftsmen who are involved in all aspects of the project, and John Suffield, an art student, is assisting and learning the skills required for artistic renovations. Greg Walker, a master painter, will focus on flesh tones.

Robert Elliot wears many hats in this project, serving as the coordinator, logistics manager, art director, and overseeing the restoration and repair process. He is also responsible for the recasting of the destroyed frames and painting of the statues and stations.

"As always," Elliot said, "it is an honor to be of service to God and his people, and we all share in the joy of using our talents for this purpose."

The restoration of the statues and stations is a labor-intensive and time-consuming endeavor. However, with the dedication and expertise of Robert Elliot and his team, the Mary Queen of Angels Parish in Fort Scott will soon be able to once again display its cherished religious art and symbols. The new church, scheduled to be completed by the end of October, will bear a strong resemblance to the original church, preserving its historical significance for generations to come.