Before:

After:

From Bassam Sawaya - Kfarhata Ecclesiastic Committee

On the 16th of October 2002 , I announced on Kfarhata.com a decision to
remove the external plaster and show the original stone walls of Mar Saba
church , including suitable cleaning and pointing . The goal was to improve
the esthetics and show the historical character of the church . My appeal
for contributions was quickly answered . Salah Bchir , Ramez Ayoub and Atef
Sakr respectively donated 5000 US$ , 1000 US$ and 500 US$ . Quotations were
received and an agreement was signed with Walid Anjoul , an expert in
refurbishment of old byzantine churches and stone structures .

The antique face of the church was soon revealed and the old stone bell
tower was dismantled and refurbished . Old columns and parts of this tower
that were broken and repaired using concrete were replaced by identical
replica , while most of the antique marvelous parts of the tower crown were
saved , cleaned and reinstalled .

After we removed the old plaster , we discovered that many parts of the
walls were reconstructed and refurbished in a very disorganized and messy
manner before the plaster was done . We had to dismantle large areas and
even complete walls and reconstruct them again in a way that resembles the
other ancient construction . The apse of the church and the east wall were
completely disassembled and remodeled . A large quantity of stones had to be
hence procured and installed . A water repellent coating was applied
afterwards .

Despite all these important additions to the scope of works , I managed to
convince the Contractor to keep the same price and absorb the additional
cost . I persuaded him to take this project as a marketing non-profit tool .
Please note that few years ago , some engineers have asked for only the
refurbishment of the bell tower an amount of 14000 US$ , excluding the
removal of plaster , dismantling and refurbishing of walls , and cleaning
and pointing of stones . In summary , we managed to achieve for a cost of
7000 US$ the same works that others would have charged 20000 US$ .

This was Phase I of the works . Other phases will include constructing a
stone dome (Aakd) with two arches in place of the ugly balcony and cladding
of the external wall of the reception hall to give the entrance an antique
ancient face in harmony with the Church itself . Ancient stone floor tiling
of the entrance will also be done . Soft and hard surrounding landscaping
including stone cladding of the ugly fence in addition to external lighting
can later constitute Phase 3.

The Ecclesiastic Committee deeply thanks those who financed Phase I for
their benevolence and generosity , and invites all of you to show your love
to this Church that means a lot to everyone and symbolizes the history of
our village , and to donate whatever sum they can to cover a part of Phase
II which cannot be started before securing its complete financing .

Bassam Sawaya
For Kfarhata Ecclesiastic Committee