Construction projects are under way across the Diocese of Charlotte this summer. St. Philip the Apostle Church in Statesville is building a new parish hall. (Photos provided by Diocese of Charlotte Properties Office) CHARLOTTE — Construction and renovation projects around the Diocese of Charlotte really heat up during the summer months as the Carolina blue skies mean the diocesan Properties Office can accomplish a great amount of work in a short period of time. This summer is no exception.
The scope of work this summer includes projects for six churches, four schools, one Catholic Campus Ministry building, and the new St. Joseph College Seminary:
Churches
Queen of the Apostles Church, Belmont: A new church building is under construction behind the current building, to accommodate the parish’s rapid growth. The 13,430-square-foot building will offer seating for 750 people – more than double the capacity of the current church. The projected completion date on the $4.15 million project is early 2020.
St. Michael Church, Gastonia: “Raise the Roof,” a parish-wide collection to replace the church’s leaky roof and repair extensive water damage to the building, exceeded its goal by nearly 70 percent, raising over $263,000 with 96 percent of registered families contributing to the cause. Work to replace the entire 24,500-square-foot roof and make other critical repairs will get under way July 22. Weather permitting, the project will be completed in late August or early September.
Immaculate Conception Church, Forest City: Building envelope repairs continue around the 11,120-square-foot Gothic-style stone church to repair water damage. All of the stone is being removed from the façade to replace rotten wood sheathing behind it. The work is expected to be completed this fall.
St. John the Evangelist Church, Waynesville: Renovation of the old church building into a Family Life Center got under way this month, with the building getting powerwashed, the roof getting repaired, and a new air conditioning unit and lighting coming soon.
St. Paul the Apostle Church, Greensboro: Work was recently completed on construction of a new 2,300-square-foot rectory on the church property.
St. Philip the Apostle Church, Statesville: Construction on a new 7,143-square-foot Social Hall is expected to be completed this fall.
Schools
St. Michael School, Gastonia: Renovations and security improvements totaling $1.6 million are underway at the 77-year-old school. Renovations include: Redesigning the existing library to create a new state-of-the-art STEM Lab and Maker Space; renovating the existing science lab to expand capabilities for hands-on learning and experimentation; finish renovating the current technology infrastructure; build a new special education classroom to expand the learning environment for special needs students; upgrade the elementary school restrooms; replace the roof; and install new rooftop HVAC equipment. The project is expected to be finished this fall for the start of the 2019-’20 school year.
Asheville Catholic School, Asheville: Flooring throughout the school is being replaced, with the work expected to be completed next month.
Charlotte Catholic High School, Charlotte: Security improvements are being made, specifically relocating the receptionist desk to the front entry and installing new doors to create a security vestibule. Projected completion is this fall.
St. Ann School, Charlotte: Security improvements are being made, including relocating the administrative offices to an area that originally housed the auditorium when the school was built in the 1950s. The 3,500-square-foot renovation will consist of offices for the principal, administrator, receptionist and nurse. It will also include a conference room and learning support center. Projected completion is this fall.
Campus Ministry
Catholic Campus Ministry at North Carolina A&T State University, Greensboro: A 2,763-square-foot newly purchased house is being upfitted for the Campus Ministry program, which had to move recently after its original building was purchased by the university as part of its planned expansion. Work on the new location involves restoring the original wood floors, making general repairs and painting. The project is expected to be finished later this month.
College seminary
St. Joseph College Seminary, Mount Holly: Construction of the 26,635-square-foot college seminary continues near Belmont Abbey College. The two-story, Gothic-styled building will include a chapel, classroom, library, conference rooms, a kitchen and refectory (cafeteria), faculty offices, and a guest room for speakers and visiting priests. It will also include 40 dorm rooms or “cells” to house the growing number of college seminary students, which is expected to total 26 this fall. The $20 million project is expected to be completed in March 2020.
— SueAnn Howell, Senior reporter
The St. Joseph College Seminary in Mount Holly is taking shape.
St. Michael School in Gastonia is undergoing a major renovation to the school’s main entrance and administrative offices.