While these examples are spectacular, the transformation we underwent in our little country parish of St. Joseph on Allumette Island sure touched the hearts of parishioners. In the wake of the liturgical renewal of Vatican II, the high altar was stripped out of the sanctuary and destroyed. It was a wound that people carried in their hearts for decades. Thanks to the power of the internet and the generosity of parishioners, we were able to find an identical one that was being removed from a church in the USA that was being torn down. It took some doing and lots of repairs, sweat, and paint, but eventually we installed it in our little church to the appreciation of all concerned. Now when you walk through the front doors, you know you've entered into a Catholic Church once again! Before & After: 13 Beautiful Sanctuary Renovations Worth Celebrating | The Christian Review