ELBURN—A dozen pairs of feet slogged through a muddy field full of young winter wheat to plant shovels at the site of the new St. Gall Church May 4.
Father Karl Ganss, who was pastor of the parish from 2003 to 2012 and is back as parochial administrator, led the hard-hatted group toward signs that mark the site at the corner of Illinois Rt. 47 and Hughes Road in Kane County.
With him were members of the parish staff, the building and visioning committees and representatives from Shales McNutt Construction from Elgin, the company that will build the new church.
Initial drawings made a few years ago have been updated by Emilie Hoffman of Ruck Pate Architecture of Barrington to the version of the church that is being built.
Father Ganss and staff members explained the day was long in coming. In 1998, the parish began talking about the need for a new building Fundraising began in earnest in late 2007 and 2008.
But everything was put on hold when the diocese’s newest parish — housed in St. Katharine Drexel Chapel — was created in Sugar Grove in October 2008 by Bishop Thomas G. Doran.
Back on track now, the ceremonial shovels hit the dirt May 4. The real digging was expected to begin this week, said project manager Bill Wilson of Shales McNutt Construction. Completion target is March 2017.
Phase one of the project will include an 18,100 square foot complex with:
n Worship space with seating for 400;
n Immersion baptismal font;
n Cry room;
n Overflow seating in gathering space;
n Eight classrooms;
n Multi-purpose fellowship space;
n Hospitality kitchen;
n Parish library;
n Parish offices;
n Off-street parking for 120;
n Handicapped-accessibility; and
n A combination of relocated and new art glass.
The budgeted amount for the project as approved by the Rockford Diocese Building Commission is $6.25 million.
“We’re just beside ourselves,” now that work is finally underway, said Laura Chaplin, a vision committee member who is also director of liturgy for the parish.
The new church site is across Illinois Rt. 47 from an existing farmhouse that already serves as the parish rectory, Father Ganss said.
Bishop David Malloy has been invited to attend the laying of the cornerstone, tentatively scheduled for this summer.
The budgeted amount for the project as approved by the Rockford Diocese Building Commission is $6.25 million.
“We’re just beside ourselves,” said Laura Chaplin, a vision committee member who is also directory of liturgy for the parish, now that work is finally underway.
The new church site is across Illinois Rt. 47 from an existing farmhouse that already serves as the parish rectory, Father Ganss said.
Bishop David Malloy has been invited to attend the laying of the cornerstone in a few weeks.
St. Gall staff at the ground breaking were Mary Kugach, business manager; Carrie Walter, director of commication and secretary; Donna Doherty, director of faith formation and youth ministry; Greg Farrell, director of evangelization; and Laura Chaplin, director of liturgy.
Visionioning committee members are Mary Kugach, Jim Feuerborn, Eldon Gould, Deacon Mark Chaplin and Laura Chaplin, Jennifer Anderson, Craig Knoche, and Dan Lambert.
Bill Wilson, senior project manager, and Mark Zipoy represented Shales McNutt Construction of Elgin at the ground breaking and Craig Knoche, NC, PC, represented Knoche Engineering of Geneva.