Church of the Gesu back open and ready for Christmas Mass crowds

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) --It’s been almost two years since Christmas Mass has been held in the main church at the Church of the Gesu on Wisconsin Avenue in Milwaukee.

Renovations at the church started at the beginning of December in 2024, and the church didn’t fully open back up until December of this year.

“There was a period of time, kind of at the end of the spring, when this interior was a forest of scaffolding, like every part of it was scaffolded,” Church of the Gesu Pastor Rev. Michael Simone said. “I remember looking around thinking, this can’t possibly be done in a year, it looked like a five-year project, but here we are.”

The renovations added new speakers, new painting throughout the church, new floors, and new lighting.

“I think just in general it’s a much brighter space than it used to be,” Simone said. “It still takes my breath away to walk in here every day.”

Pews were also replaced, accessibility was approved, and a new security system was created.

“I’ve been in construction for 23 years and I’ve never seen something like that, so it was pretty impressive,” Luke Holton, with Dublin Contractors, said.

Holton helped with the project and now attends the church on a regular basis.

“Not everyone gets to sit in a church and know they were a small part of it,” Holton said.

The church will hold two masses on Christmas Eve and two on Christmas Day.

“Christmas is one of our biggest masses, in terms of people who come, and it’s the one we’d like people to see, it’s who we are, and we want any visitor to know what this parish is like,” Simone said.

While the church has a new shine and feel to it, the focus remains on being there for the community and people near downtown Milwaukee.

“I love the building, and the building is fun and can bring some life and energy into the community, but in the end, it’s all about the people,” Simone said.

The church is still fundraising to cover the construction costs. To donate, you can click here.