‘We’re building a house of prayer for all’
Parishioners at Queen of the Apostles Church broke ground for their new church after all Masses Feb. 10. Each person was given a small plastic scoop and invited to turn over some dirt after a prayer and Father Frank Cancro, pastor, blessed the area with holy water. The ceremony closed with a hymn. The parish hopes to be in its new church by year’s end if the weather cooperates. (Photos by Kevin Eagan | Catholic News Herald)BELMONT — Parishioners at Queen of the Apostles Church had a dream 14 years ago that is now on its way to being realized as a new 13,430-square-foot church is under construction to accommodate the growing Catholic community 20 minutes west of Charlotte.
Parishioners’ hopes, planning and fundraising have borne fruit, and on Feb. 10 they held a groundbreaking for their new church. Father Frank Cancro, pastor, and the Queen of the Apostles Church community all participated in the groundbreaking ceremonies held after each of the Sunday Masses.
Participants of all ages were given small scoops to serve as shovels so they could help “turn the dirt” during the groundbreaking.
Stu LaFrancis, chairman of the build team, is a retired commercial contractor who will help supervise the project on behalf of the parish. He has been a member of the parish for the past 10 years.
“We are building a house of prayer for all,” LaFrancis said. “This is really exceptional and exciting for our parishioners.”
The cost to build the new church is projected to be $4.15 million. The new church will offer seating for 750 people – more than double the capacity of the current church.
“It’s going to have a big space feel when you walk in. It’s going to give you a ‘pop’ when you walk in because of the lush colors selected for the interior,” LaFrancis said.
He is concerned the recent rainy weather may pose a challenge during the initial phase of the project, pushing completion of the church into early 2020, but he also noted that weather delays are par for the course in most construction projects.
WKWW Architects of Charlotte, which specializes in church architecture design, served as architect. Southside Constructors will serve as general contractor for the project.
“This is a community effort. All of the parishioners have contributed and paid for this. This is a church of the people,” LaFrancis said.
A much-anticipated feature of the new church will be its six front doors crafted out of repurposed, now rare, northern Appalachian longleaf pine taken from the floorboards of Chronicle Mill on Catawba Street in Belmont, which is owned by Queen of the Apostles parishioners John and Jennifer Church. Each door will stand over eight feet tall and weighs 225 pounds.
The church will have a new entrance off Franklin Street as well as additional parking that will make the church more handicapped accessible. It will offer new restrooms, a cry room and nursery, a large narthex, a parlor for families and ministers attending weddings and funerals, a sacristy and a dedicated space for the sacrament of reconciliation.
Once the new church is completed, the current church building will be converted into a daily chapel and addition-al administrative offices as funds become available to complete those renovations.
— SueAnn Howell, Senior Reporter
