Join the McFaddin-Ward House Museum for “Beyond Belief: The Transformation of Saint Anthony Cathedral Basilica,” a free public lecture presented by Russell “Rusty” Chimeno on Thursday, January 15, at 6:30 p.m. in the Museum’s Visitor Center Lecture Hall (1906 Calder Avenue, Beaumont).
Russell “Rusty” Chimeno, lead docent tour guide at Beaumont’s iconic Saint Anthony Cathedral Basilica, will explore St. Anthony’s multi-million-dollar restoration that converted the sacred space into a breathtakingly beautiful local landmark.
Completed in 1907 to serve the rapidly growing Beaumont community, St. Anthony was proclaimed a Minor Basilica by Pope Benedict XVI in 2006 in recognition of its historical and architectural significance.
Chimeno is a longtime parishioner at St. Anthony, where he attended the parish school as a child and served on the staff in the 1990s. During his 13-year tenure as chief financial officer of the Catholic Diocese of Beaumont, Chimeno oversaw the financial aspect of St. Anthony’s repairs and renovations. Today, he serves St. Anthony as lead docent, sharing the history and symbolism of the Cathedral Basilica with visitors from across the world.
In 2022, Chimeno, who holds a master’s degree in business administration, retired as firm administrator for Mehaffy Weber, P.C. after 14 years of service. His vast community involvement has included board positions for SETX Chapter of the Texas Society of CPAs, Catholic Charities of Southeast Texas, Catholic Foundation of the Diocese of Beaumont, the Emergency Food and Shelter Program, Some Other Place, and Lamar University Friends of the Arts.
McFaddin-Ward House Museum lectures are admission-free and open to the public, but space is limited. Doors open at 6 p.m. For more information, call 409-832-2134.
For those unable to attend, the full lecture will be available for viewing on the museum YouTube Channel (youtube.com/@mcfaddinwardhouse), Facebook (facebook.com/McFaddinWardHouse), and website (mcfaddin-ward.org/about/videos) after the event.
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