TUCSON (KGUN9-TV) - Removing, restoring, and returning the Virgin Mary to her former glory.
For the last four months, art conservators have been working around the clock at Mission San Xavier Del Bac to do just that.
Displayed in a niche high above the altar, Mary stood untouched for more than two centuries.
"What we are doing is trying to preserve a piece of history... we're not adding or taking anything away were just trying to preserve history," said Timothy Lewis.
The statue of the Virgin Mary returned to the mission this past weekend, raised to her niche and blessed above the altar.
A $10,000 grant from the Catholic Foundation for the Diocese of Tucson helped fund the restoration project.
