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After two years of
study and reflection, Holy Family Catholic Parish last weekend
unveiled a preliminary Master Building Plan for future parish
facilities. The Master Building Plan is only one of many outcomes
currently being implemented from the work of more than 100 members
of the parish in the development of a Long Range Pastoral Plan
completed in December 2005.
[Click on this plan for a larger view]
The Master Building
Plan calls for the construction of a new 600 seat Church, Parish
Hall and Religious Education Center/Parish Office building to be
constructed in the area between Fourth and Fifth Streets and Maple
and Union Street. The 15 member Building and Grounds Planning
Action Team has guided the development of the Master Building Plan
with the help of the architectural firm, Graham and Hyde, Inc. of
Springfield, IL.
Doug Ebelherr,
chairman of the Committee shared, “We have tried very hard to
maintain the rich treasures, traditions, history and values of our
Catholic faith community. We will be including sacred images and
statutes from our current church. It is very important for us to use
the Crucifix, the statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary and Child Jesus,
the Stations of the Cross and the bell from the bell tower. Space
will also be provided for additional statues and a larger space for
vigil lights. In addition, we have also asked the architects to use
elements of the stained glass windows in the new facilities. We also
plan to renovate the pipe organ and include it in the new church.”
“The church reflects
our faith” said Holy Family Pastor, Father Anthony Lee. “The church
is designed in the shape of a Cross, reflecting the redemptive
action of Jesus Christ. The Blessed Sacrament will have a place of
prominence behind the altar and the Baptismal will be centrally
located in the entrance as a common reminder of the baptismal call
as disciples. I am delighted with the work of the committee. They
have worked hard and remained open to new insights and ideas
throughout the process. It’s been a real joy to see the work of the
Holy Spirit bringing the Master Building Plan to this stage.”
Other features of the
new church will include handicap accessibility and parking, better
lighting and more comfortable seating and kneelers.
Statues of prominence
of Saint Mary and Saint Patrick will be placed on the property where
those churches once stood, remembering the significance they have
had in our Roman Catholic history in Lincoln.
In late May,
three-dimensional illustrations of the church will be unveiled.
After the illustrations are complete, the parishioners of Holy
Family will have the opportunity to attend one of several
presentations to learn more about the benefits of the new facilities
and how the new facilities will help the parish to better minister
to the parishioners.
When asked about
funding the project, Father Lee said, “We are a long way from
breaking ground. Funding for the project such as this will require
everyone in our parish community to sacrifice like our
great-grandparents and those before them. Over the course of many
years, our building fund has grown. Combined with the insurance
proceeds from the St. Mary’s Church fire in 1975 and the generosity
of the people of the parish, I have every confidence that, after a
time of education and prayer, the funds will be secured to realize
this vision for the future. These new facilities will provide
modern-day answers to the faith formation of our families.”
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 Frequently Asked Questions
1. Why was
renovation of the current church not chosen?
A very through
study of the existing church was conducted including expert
input from a structural engineer, tuck pointing expert and our
architects. Renovation of the current church would not allow us
to adequately address the needs of our community. Some of these
include gathering space, restroom facilities, future expansion,
and seating that is more properly spaced. The study also
revealed that while not cause for any immediate alarm, there are
some structural concerns that would be cost prohibitive to
correct. It is estimated that the cost of a new church would be
only twenty-five percent more than renovation.
2. Who does the
parish serve?
Holy Family Parish
serves Roman Catholics in Lincoln, Mason City, Middletown, San
Jose, Broadwell, New Holland, Beason, Greenview, Fancy Prairie,
Chestnut, Emden and Hartsburg. We are a community of 955
families totaling more than 1,900 members.
3. Will the
project be done in phases?
Yes. This is the
strength in developing a Master Plan. The design allows for the
project to be built in phases over a number of years with
provisions made so that the entire facility will have a similar
look and feel.
4. What about
Carroll Catholic School?
Carroll Catholic
School is a significant ministry in our parish. Many
improvements have been made in the past three years including
renovated classrooms, restrooms, computer network and lab and
gymnasium with a new state-of-the art wood floor. The final
plans of the church will provide for better handicap
accessibility to the school entrance.
5. What
buildings will be raised for the construction?
Two houses owned
by the church at 113 and 123 Fifth Street as well as the current
Parish Religion Education Center at 109 Fifth Street will be
raised to make room for the new facilities. Currently the
property at 109 Fifth Street serves as the Religious Education
Center and Food Pantry, which will be relocated to other
properties owned by the church during construction.
6. How much
will it cost?
An accurate
preliminary cost of the project will only be available after the
completion of the schematic design process and the decision of
which phases to begin with.
7. Who has the
Pastor consulted with as he worked through the decision making
process?
Father Lee has
worked closely with the Parish Council, Finance Council, the
Building and Grounds Planning Action Team. In addition, 18
parish groups were consulted about their space requirements and
storage needs. On the diocesan level, the Diocesan Building
Commission also has been consulted to assure that our plans meet
with the guidelines established by the United States Conference
of Catholic Bishops.
[Text copied from
news release from Holy Family Catholic Parish]
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