‘With God all things are possible”
STATESVILLE — Overcoming obstacles brought on by the pandemic and the economy, St. Philip the Apostle Parish is moving forward with plans to build a new Activity and Education Center, with hopes of beginning the project in spring of 2023.
On Saturday, Oct. 8, the parish will host a gala and auction in the social hall to help the church meet rising construction costs after parishioners and donors initially pledged $2.5 million in 2019, when the project was paused due to COVID-19.
Schematic plans and financial projections are going through final reviews, but the church is working with the diocese to consider a campaign to raise roughly $1 million more.
“With God all things are possible,” said Father Thomas Kessler, pastor. “We need to raise more funds. We will build what we need and can afford. The new center must be done soon, because the old facility lacks proper heat and air conditioning, and the roof is in very bad condition.”
Plans call for an 8,250-square-foot building with classrooms for meetings and faith formation, parish offices and a large gathering space for events and fellowship.
Also planned is an outdoor plaza linking the church’s social hall, completed in 2019, with the new Activity and Education Center. The total investment in the two buildings is expected to be about $6 million.
St. Philip’s location in Statesville, just south of Interstate 40 and visible from Interstate 77, makes it a convenient destination for gatherings and events.
“The diocese has reached out to us to hold events here for things such as Protecting God’s Children trainings and Tribunal meetings,” Father Kessler said. “We also hope to be able to host more meetings for the larger Church community in the new facility.”
Parishioners will get an opportunity to review schematic designs and offer feedback in coming weeks, once the parish’s Building and Planning Committee completes its review and preliminary cost estimates.
“The people and leadership of St. Philip are going to complete this project despite headwinds that might deter other churches and organizations,” said Jim Kelley, the diocese’s director of development. “It’s a real testament to their commitment and extraordinary generosity in helping their parish family learn and live out their faith.”
Father Kessler encourages parishioners to “pray for the guidance of the Holy Spirit and the success of this endeavor.”
— SueAnn Howell
How to give
- Mail: Checks can be made out to St. Philip the Apostle Church. Please put ‘Forward With Christ’ in the memo line. Mail to the church at 525 Camden Dr., Statesville, N.C. 28677
- Online: Go to www.faithdirect.net, click ‘Give Now,” and use church code: NC1000
Ukrainian women seeking asylum in the United States wait in line to board a bus outside a shelter in Tijuana, Mexico, April 22, 2022. The Vatican has released Pope Francis' message for the World Day of Migrants and Refugees, which will be marked Sept. 25 at the Vatican. (CNS photo/Jorge Duenes, Reuters)On Sept. 25, the Church will celebrate the World Day of Migrants and Refugees. The theme for this year’s celebration is “Building the Future with Migrants and Refugees,” a theme chosen by Pope Francis that he said “highlights the commitment that we are all called to share in building a future that embraces God’s plan, leaving no one behind.”
The pope’s message for this day explores how migrants and refugees contribute to the social, economic, cultural and spiritual development of societies and ecclesial communities.
Read his full message online at www.migrants-refugees.va/world-day-of-migrants-refugees.
Also, find resources on welcoming immigrants and refugees on the website for Justice for Immigrants (www.justiceforimmigrants.org/home/about-us) and the website for Catholic Legal Immigration Network Inc. (www.cliniclegal.org/issues), both founded and supported by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.
— Joe Purello