Design and Fabrication Studios of Ratigan-Schottler

01/06/2026

https://www.liturgicalartsjournal.com/2025/12/before-and-after-st-cecilias-catholic.html

Before and After: St. Cecilia's Catholic Church in Ames, Iowa

12/31/2025

As we close another year, all of us at the Design and Fabrication Studios of Ratigan-Schottler would like to extend our sincere thanks to everyone who has placed their trust in us over the years. We truly have the most incredible job in the world, with the rare opportunity to collaborate with some of the finest architects, designers, and artisans in the country. You are what makes our work so rewarding and genuinely enjoyable.

This past year has been a record-setting one for us, and it would not have been possible without the dedication, talent, and teamwork of our entire organization. From our designers, artisans, master craftsmen, and fabricators in the shop, to the often-behind-the-scenes efforts of our office staff who keep projects moving, details coordinated, and customers supported every day- each plays a vital role in our success, with special recognition to our installation crews who work very long days away from their families.

Together, we are grateful for the projects, the partnerships, and the shared commitment to excellence. We look forward with great enthusiasm to the year ahead and to continuing our tradition of thoughtful design, exceptional craftsmanship, and meaningful collaboration. Happy New Year!

12/24/2025

All of us at the Design and Fabrication Studios of Ratigan-Schottler extend our warmest wishes to you and your families for a blessed and peaceful Christmas. May this holy season be filled with joy, renewal, and the comfort of faith, family, and friends.

05/26/2025

Winston Churchill said it best: “Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few.”

All of us at Ratigan-Schottler extend our deepest gratitude to those who have made the ultimate sacrifice to protect the freedoms we hold dear.

05/17/2025

Honored to Visit St. Augustine Catholic Church in Covington, KY

While attending the CCFM Conference in the beautiful city of Covington, Kentucky, I had the pleasure of visiting St. Augustine Catholic Church to view some of the completed work our team was privileged to contribute to.

This historic church was originally designed by local architect David Davis (1865–1932)—also known for designing the 1910 Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption in Covington. Construction on St. Augustine began in 1913 under Father William Kathman and was dedicated on December 20, 1914 by Bishop Camillus P. Maes. The church is an architectural treasure—60 feet tall, 52 feet wide, 92 feet at the transept, and 160 feet long—with seating for 1,000 worshippers.

Father Daniel Schomaker, the current pastor, approached us to design and fabricate several custom pieces that would blend seamlessly with the existing architecture. With Father Schomaker’s exceptional eye for design and our skilled team of designers and craftsmen, we brought his vision to life with reverence and detail.

One of the most meaningful parts of the project was the restoration of a historic Ambo, which Father Schomaker rescued from an abandoned church in New York City. When we received it, the piece was in extremely poor condition—missing carvings, badly damaged, and covered in debris. Through careful restoration and craftsmanship, we returned it to its original glory and constructed a new stairway to complement its new home at St. Augustine.

At Ratigan-Schottler, we’re passionate about creating and restoring sacred spaces. We truly believe we have the best job in the world.

👉 If you're planning a new project, we would be honored to be part of it.
Please visit our website to explore our full range of services and completed work.
We look forward to hearing from you!

05/17/2025

Blending Tradition with Flexibility – A Custom Seating Solution

We were recently approached by a church looking for the flexibility of chairs but the traditional comfort and appearance of pews. Challenge accepted.

Our design team went to work and created a solution that delivered both. Built on the foundation of our Standard Super Chair II, this custom seating system combines the pitched comfort of a pew with the versatility of chairs. Each Super Chair II features a solid oak back, a generously sized 20” seat, and built-in front and rear underseat bookracks. Ganging clamps keep the chairs aligned in straight, stable rows—creating a continuous seat and back surface when connected.

To preserve the timeless look of pews, we incorporated traditional pew ends on the aisle sides while using individual chairs in between to maintain flexibility. Chairs are also available with optional arms, upholstered backs, and in double (40”) or triple (60”) widths—offering both beauty and budget-conscious design. This installation turned out beautifully and exceeded the church’s expectations.

At Ratigan-Schottler, we specialize in solving design challenges with craftsmanship and creativity. From design to fabrication, our team of designers, engineers, and skilled artisans is ready to bring your vision to life—on time, on budget, and heirloom quality.
Let’s talk about your next project.

📞 Give us a call or visit us at 👉 www.ratiganschottler.com to explore our full line of products and services.

04/26/2025

Whatever you do... don’t visit us at Booth #104 at CCFM 2025.
(Unless you’re ready to completely rethink what church furniture can be.)

You’ve been warned:
✨ You might get inspired.
✨ You might reimagine your sacred space.
✨ You might meet a team as passionate about beauty, tradition, and purpose as you are.
✨ And yes… you might even leave with a unique gift.

We'll (reluctantly) see you at Booth #104 — April 27–30 in Covington!

04/20/2025

Wishing You a Joyful and Blessed Easter

As we celebrate this season of renewal and hope, we want to extend our heartfelt gratitude to all of our valued customers, architects, and design partners. Your trust, creativity, and collaboration continue to inspire the work we do every day.

May this Easter bring peace, joy, and new beginnings to you and your loved ones.

03/20/2025

Because of the Blizzard yesterday, we currently don’t have phone or internet service. We hope to be back online sometime early this afternoon. We apologize for the inconvenience.

12/31/2024

As we bid farewell to 2024 and welcome 2025, all of us at the Design and Fabrication Studios of Ratigan-Schottler want to extend our heartfelt thanks to the customers, architects, designers, and contractors who have entrusted us with their projects this past year. Your trust and support mean the world to us, and we are deeply grateful for the opportunities to collaborate with such talented and inspiring individuals.

A special thanks goes out to our incredibly talented and dedicated staff. Your hard work, creativity, and commitment are the foundation of our success, and we are so fortunate to have such an exceptional team.

We feel truly blessed to have worked alongside some of the finest professionals and look forward to continuing these relationships in the year ahead. From everyone at Ratigan-Schottler, we wish you and your family a peaceful, joyful, and prosperous New Year

12/23/2024

From the Design and Fabrication Studios of Ratigan-Schottler

This Christmas season, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to you, our cherished customers. Your trust and partnership have been the cornerstone of our creativity and craftsmanship.

May the joy and peace of this holiday season fill your hearts and homes. May the light of Christmas guide your way into a new year filled with blessings, hope, and boundless possibilities.

Thank you for allowing us to be part of your journey. We look forward to serving you with excellence and care in the coming year.

Wishing you a blessed Christmas and a prosperous New Year!

Warmest regards,
The Ratigan-Schottler Team

12/07/2024

Christ Chapel is an ecumenical Christian chapel located on the campus of Hillsdale College in Hillsdale, Michigan. Built between 2017 and 2019, this chapel seats 1,350 and serves as the architectural centerpiece of Hillsdale's main quadrangle. Designed by renowned traditionalist architect Duncan G. Stroik, the chapel showcases a neoclassical style inspired by the works of Christopher Wren and early Georgian churches in the United States. Upon its dedication in 2019, it was recognized as the largest classical chapel constructed in the United States in 70 years.

We were deeply honored to contribute to this extraordinary project by providing the seating and custom liturgical furniture. Collaborating with some of the world's finest architectural and construction firms was a true privilege. For this project, the furniture was crafted from Sapele, a distinguished hardwood closely related to mahogany within the Meliaceae family. Known for its darker tone and striking figure, Sapele is highly valued for its lustrous iridescence, featuring colors ranging from light pink to brown, and gold to red.

Ready to bring your ideas to life? Share your ideas with us, or let us design something exceptional for you!