MECHANIC FALLS — Members of St. Teresa of Calcutta Parish recently celebrated a milestone in the renovation of the parish center at Our Lady of Ransom Church.

The project will eventually include creating a new worship site.

The Rev. Edward Clifford, pastor, blessed the new hall that was created from a section of the center formerly divided into four classrooms. The project included installing energy efficient lighting.

“The parishioners are enthusiastic about the opening of the hall, as it will once again be a place for community events like suppers and wedding receptions, as well as be available for use by local organizations,” Clifford said.

The blessing marks the completion of the first phase to redesign the parish center, which has been used primarily for Sunday Masses since the former church was demolished three years ago.

“This is just the beginning of what is to come,” said Josie Hebert, chairperson of the planning committee, which has been working on the project for several years. “I would like to thank the parishioners of Our Lady of Ransom for having faith, hope, and knowing that with the help of God, all things are possible.”

Clifford also expressed gratitude to parishioners, especially to Hebert and the members of the planning committee, and to Bob Rose, a parishioner and experienced contractor, who served as an adviser. Clifford noted the work of DICON, the diocesan construction company, which oversaw the project.

With the first phase of the project now complete, plans will move forward to modify the center’s kitchen and to convert the former parish hall into a new church, a move necessitated by the deterioration of the former worship site. That building, which had once been a barn, had irreparable water damage and mold, which led to its demolition in 2015. Many items from inside the church were salvaged, however, and are still in use.

Phase I of the repurposed building is dedicated to the Rev. John Dougher, who served the Our Lady of Ransom community from 1982 to 1991 and spearheaded the fundraising and construction of the parish center during that time.

The Rev. Edward Clifford blesses the new parish center at Our Lady of Ransom Church in Mechanic Falls.