Efforts to Restore Historic Murals at St. Nicholas Croatian Catholic Church
MILLVALE, Pa. — A dedicated team is working meticulously to restore the beautiful murals at St. Nicholas Croatian Catholic Church, which have weathered nearly 80 years of grime and deterioration. This restoration effort focuses on ensuring the important artistry remains for future generations.
The church is adorned with renowned murals created by Maxo Vanka, a Croatian American artist, between 1937 and 1941. His work combines spiritual themes with powerful images depicting the struggles of immigrant life, war, and moral contrasts between good and evil.
For the last 15 years, the Society to Preserve the Millvale Murals of Maxo Vanka has been carefully restoring the murals, section by section. Recently, a team of 16 workers concentrated on the upper areas of the church. Their efforts included cleaning surfaces, removing corrosive salts, and repairing chipped paint to bring back the murals’ original vibrancy.
Naomi Ruiz, the conservator overseeing the project, noted the blend of art and science in the conservation process. The work involves installing scaffolding to access the high murals closely. The restoration team began by removing years of dust and soot, which accumulated largely due to historical industrial pollution in Pittsburgh, including emissions from steel mills and heavy traffic.
The team used gentle tools and techniques, such as wet sponges and cotton swabs, to ensure the murals were treated with care. As they cleaned, the vibrant colors began to emerge once again, revealing the artist’s detailed vision.
To address the deterioration of some materials, the team carefully selected safe solutions with neutral pH levels. When they encountered areas with damaged aluminum leaf backgrounds, they developed a unique blend of watercolor to match the original shine, opting for materials that could allow for future adjustments if necessary.
One pressing issue is the presence of sulfate salts, which tend to accumulate more in areas with higher pollution. These salts can cause significant damage when they interact with moisture. To combat this, the team applied poultices to draw out harmful salts while also reinforcing the plaster.
It’s essential to note that this effort is about conservation, not restoration. Ruiz emphasized that the goal is to preserve Vanka’s original work as authentically as possible, ensuring that the spirit of the artwork remains intact and visible.
As this project progresses, the preservation society has also collaborated with the parish to improve building conditions, including roof repairs and a new climate control system, to prevent future damage. The focused intent to maintain these historic murals reflects a commitment to honoring the legacy of American art and the immigrant experience.
