Our Plans

Facility Improvements

Pipe Organ Refurbishment 

We need to replenish the savings spent to clean and refurbish our Wicks Pipe Organ. We are enjoying our historic organ and we need savings ready for similar maintenance needs and emergencies.

HVAC System

We plan to replace our old HVAC system with a more energy and cost-efficient system that will make our facilities more comfortable and also be better for our environment.

Devotional Area

The St. John the Baptist Devotional Area will have the ceiling leaks repaired and the glass doors replaced with energy efficient windows. New paint will complete the remodeling designed to create a welcoming, serene place to light a candle, reflect, and pray.

Glass House Gathering Space

We plan to renovate and improve the Glass House to be a light, bright, and welcoming entrance to St. Mary’s Church as well as a place to connect, socialize, and gather together in community.

• New paint, uniform lighting, and all new energy-efficient glass will update the space into a modern, inviting area full of natural light.
• Visitors will be greeted from a prominent welcome desk that will also display parish Mass, ministry, activity, and event information.

Preserving, renovating, reinvigorating, and restoring  • Celebrating our history • Blending modern and traditional  • Creating a welcoming, appealing environment  • Drawing people in • Surviving and joyfully thriving 

Sanctuary & Main Church Improvements

Sanctuary   

• The High Altar will be refurbished to highlight its dignity as the place where Jesus is truly present in our church and a new front altar and communion rail will be installed. 
• The terrazzo floors will be repaired and polished, the side walls repaired and painted, and meaningful artwork and stencil decorations added. 
• Accessibility improvements will include adding spacing to the pews and new flooring to provide welcoming accommodation for everyone, including those with mobility devices. 

Technology 

• New, permanent video cameras will be installed.
• New, energy-efficient lighting with adjustable controls will provide better illumination.
• Relocating our sound system to the balcony will make it more convenient, usable, and integrated into the worship space. 

Interior

• The ceiling will be repaired and painted for aesthetics and safety.
• The balcony railing will be replaced, as the current one is too short to meet safety standards.  

Exterior 

Projecting a positive image of St. Mary’s to passersby, visitors, and parishioners is key to drawing people into our church and attracting new members. That’s why it’s vital to have our exterior areas reflect our warm and welcoming community.

• The piping and drainage issues will be addressed to ensure our grounds are safe, attractive, and usable.
• The bell tower will be painted and both its leaky roof and the garage roof, which is well beyond its lifespan, will be replaced. 
• We plan to improve our outdoor courtyard space to substantially increase its appeal and comfort for gathering and fellowship. Parents will be enticed to sit and chat while their children play, and others encouraged to linger longer after Mass in community and conversation.
• Our exterior sign will be replaced with one that can display who we are, upcoming events, and messages of faith, hope, and humor.

Our focus in the sanctuary will be on enhancing the architecture and beauty of this historic church in balance with modern comforts. Doing so, potentially, could help St. Mary’s become designated as a Shrine to Our Lady, making it a place of pilgrimage and helping to ensure it remains open well into the future.