crates, accompanied by photographs to guide its reassembly. Before it could be rebuilt, a mason contractor had to build an entirely new foundation from the basement up – the original railroad ties that had supported the previous altar were structurally unverifiable by modern engineering standards and had to be removed. The design for the St. Michael’s project, like all of the company’s interior work, was developed by Andrea Belliveau, the firm’s designer, who has been with Ecclesiastical Refinishing Group for 20 years. Her role begins before a single drop of paint is applied – she develops detailed storyboard drawings for each client, works through revisions with the clergy and congregation, and only then finalizes a plan. What sets her apart, in Mark’s view, is her deep understanding of the liturgical iconography specific to each Christian denomination.” That sensitivity has served the company well on projects across the denominational spectrum, including the Chapel Royal of the Mohawk – also known as Christ Church – in Tyendinaga, where a large Mohawk committee was closely involved in overseeing the Anglican-style restoration. Moving forward, Mark’s vision is to “stay the course” – he wants to continue taking on interesting church projects, while also filling the gaps in the schedule with other historical buildings for clients such as Ontario Heritage Trust. He doesn’t plan to grow, but he also doesn’t plan on slowing down – he enjoys what he does too much, as does his team. Eventually, however, when he does retire, Mark says there’s a possibility the company will live on. His children have pursued careers in other fields and have no interest in taking over the business, but the name carries real weight in the industry, and Mark has had some conversations with others who might be interested in carrying it forward. “I think there’s goodwill in the name,” he says. “It’s known pretty widely. As long as the circumstances are right, I’d be happy to see that name live on.” Lighting the Past. Shaping the Future. From Historic Spaces to Modern Builds Lighting & Controls Solutions for Every Application MAY 2026
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