After a review, he proposed that the existing design would be well-suited as a Constantinian-style basilica while also recommending several alterations. These included opening the enclosed areas under the choir loft and moving the cry room above, the installation of a wood truss ceiling, a freestanding altar with a civory, and more. Eventually Mr. Tofari was commissioned to develop the church's architectural vision and took over the continuing work from the original firm. The firm was supportive of this arrangement as they had limited experience with traditional ecclesiastical art.

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Louis Tofari's architectural vision was to implement a homogeneous design that visually focused on the altar and conformed to the artistic style of a 4th century Roman basilica. A unique aspect of this goal was the purposeful use of bas reliefs and murals ("flat" artwork) instead of statuary as was customary for that era in Catholic churches. An exception has been made with the altar crucifix as the church's primary image and for a wooden statue of St. Peregrine to be placed in a Shrine alcove.

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Another consideration was the pastor's intention to develop this church into a national shrine of St. Peregrine Laziosi—the patron saint of cancer—as several clinics exist in the Cleveland area. This is also the only church in America dedicated to St. Peregrine (+1345), a member of the Servite Order. Thus the church was also given a Servite charism with the promotion of the Mater Dolorosa, the Seven Dolors chaplet, and its Seven Holy Founders.

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In addition to envisaging the interior's general aesthetics, the decor and various appointments have been carefully designed by Mr. Tofari and fabricated by a variety of contractors and artisans and materials (local Berea sandstone, woods, cast bronze, wrought iron & steel, tiling, and gilding). Thus almost every item is unique to the church, an important aspect that conforms with the best principles of ecclesiastical art.

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Click on the images below to open in a gallery and read about various details. Note that these pics were taken at various stages of the ongoing project.