Thank you for all the feedback that has been submitted regarding the renderings of the new church. They are helpful in setting the course of the building committee’s work as we move forward. 

Our building committee and our architect will be meeting with the Diocesan Building Commission on August 13th to review the work of our project to this point. They provide us feedback and insights from their perspective. This will be our 2nd visit to the Commission. 

Because feedback typically comes in anonymously I thought it might be helpful to offer some responses to your expressed concerns using our bulletin. This may help resolve some concerns or offer encouragement that your input is being heard. 

Noise – The most mentioned concern about the new building is the level of noise because we are putting in tile flooring in the sanctuary and in the aisles. This will contribute to a more resonant environment. To address the issue of resonance we will be hiring a sound engineer to determine the need for acoustic tile (on wall with confessionals) or in other non-visible locations. 

Cry room – The last town-hall meetings included requests for a cry room that is also near the sanctuary so that young people are not simply looking at the backs of parishioners in front of them. Another concern was the use of the cry room by teenagers (a common issue in many churches). Placing the cry room at a 45-degree angle allows it to be in the transept for closer viewing but is not visible to most of the congregation. The door off of the aisle serves to discourage using the room by those not caring for a child.

Choir loft – Several have asked if we will have a choir loft in the new church. Although many on the building committee would have preferred a choir loft, we left it out of the design due to the extraordinary cost it would add to the project. A second story requires full compliance with ADA and fire regulations. That would include two stairwells and an elevator. In the new church, the placement of the piano, organ, cantor, brass quintet, and choir in the transept also allows for space that can be used for additional seating in the event of a large liturgy. 

Seating capacity – The capacity of the church seating in the pews is 350. We have received feedback asking us to consider going larger but have chosen to keep the capacity of the pews at 350 due to costs. However, we will have the ability to seat close to 500 in our church when chairs are added to the gathering space and both transepts for large Masses. 

Fr. Joe

Amen.