So church members raised $4,000 for the Oakland Museum's Conservation Center to restore the painting and its elaborate frame, seriously damaged over the years by water from a leaking roof.

"When we took it down from the chapel, a piece of the painting fell onto the rug," said Paula Hawthorn, a senior warden who led the fund drive. "We either had to restore it, or we knew it would leave us."

The church knew that this copy of Raphael's "Madonna della Sedia" was painted, in oil on canvas, by Egisto Manzuoli. The museum conservators identified him as an Italian artist of some note, active in the late 19th century.

The extensive restoration of both the frame and the painting -- which was separating from the canvas -- was led by conservator Milada Machova. After nearly a year, it is complete.

Hawthorn said it was worth it.

"For an urban church, the idea of spending money on something like a painting, instead of a homeless program -- you know, we had to think about it," she said. "On the other hand, works of art can be inspirational, spiritually, and this one is.

"It's a beautiful copy of a well-loved picture," Hawthorn said. "That Raphael Madonna is just emblematic of the Christ Child, the Madonna, the love -- the love of humanity that exudes from the two of them."