Saint Mary Magdalen Catholic Church began an extensive renovation of its main sanctuary on April 11. The construction is expected to last about six months.

During the renovation, weekend masses will be held in the church’s gym, which has a new air conditioning system. School children are attending 8 a.m. mass in the church’s St. Joseph Chapel. Weekday noon mass is at the Brentwood Community Center.

A capital campaign was instituted in 2013 with a goal of raising $1.6 million for the renovation. Pledges have exceeded $2 million.

According to the church’s website, helpful parishioners cleared the church of religious articles and missalettes so that the pews and floors can be redone. The old church boiler has been shut down. The electrical panel is no longer in service. All the pews, kneelers and carpeting have been removed and the pews are being refinished.

“Beginning Monday, April 18, the church will be completely isolated and locked down as the work begins on asbestos abatement,” Pastor Jack Siefert wrote in the April 17 bulletin. “The church will literally have to be sealed off for a time, as the taking up of the asbestos is necessary and dangerous work.”