2003 Year in Review

Catholic Church Remodels New Facility

The sign at the new St. Mary's Catholic Church

The new home of St. Mary's Catholic Church.

Work men installing carpet in the Sanctuary.

Stained glass windows from the existing Church will be moved into this backlit structure.

View of new Catholic Church Sanctuary.

St. Mary’s Catholic Church is celebrating their “100th year with a resident pastor” by a big move. Since 1919 the Church has been the cornerstone of Morrison. In that year, they moved into the Unitarian Universalist Church at the corner of Lincoln Hwy and Cherry Street or more specifically the crossing of 78 and 30 highways. Lincoln Hwy has been moving closer to their building and with around 24 members not being able to access the steps into the church they knew something else was in their future.

At the last “needs assessment” with the archdiocese in Rockford five years ago their second most pressing need (after ministerial) of this 300-member church was handicapped accessibility. On November 29th their plan is to be conducting services in the former Unionville Center. Dave Damhoff formerly held auctions and used it as a banquet facility. On Sunday, November 30, (the first day of advent) at 10:00 am they are planning a special service.

Jan Stuart suggested to Father Leo J. Bartel (who is celebrating his 20th year in Morrison on Thanksgiving Day) he needed to “take a look”. His first comment was “all this room”. It was also within the church’s means to purchase and remodel the building. “It was a total surprise,” according to Father Bartel. “If you had told me a year ago we would be in a new facility, I would have laughed at you!”

Volunteers have approached the task with zeal. Father Bartel said, “The volunteers have been magnificent, they work hard and are very skilled. I love them to death. It would be impossible without their help.” Volunteers are doing 95% of the work. Highly skilled work such as carpet laying and blacktopping will be done outside the congregation. Member, Dave Dirk, has done all the concrete work, which includes new sidewalks and a carport area.

The existing building had a new drop ceiling, large open area, one large office, a kitchen, and restrooms. The church members have built a wall dividing the open space into a sanctuary, and a multi-purpose area with a small storage area behind the sanctuary. The sanctuary is being carpeted in red with pink walls. The pews, altars, and lights will be moved from the existing church. Tom Jobst, a parishioner, made the lights 5-10 years ago. The new sanctuary will hold 110 people with overflow room for 50-60 chairs. The doors can be opened into the multipurpose room for more overflows. Since the church does not have an organists, they will be moving a piano into the sanctuary but have a donated organ that will be in the back if it is needed.

The multipurpose entry way will have a large display case with the church’s stained glass windows, which are backlit. The current concrete floor will be tiled and tables and chairs from the previous owner can be set up for fellowship, instruction or overflow space. The kitchen still needs cupboards according to parishioner and volunteer, Jim Redwanski. “The ladies have so many dishes and there is only counter space, no cupboards.” The last area closed off is for office space and a counseling area.

Even though this is handicapped accessible and fulfilling their needs, Father Bartel has purchased adjoining land to build a new church. “We need a ‘Sacred Space’ that was built especially for worship.” Another problem is the lack of space for youth education. Currently, they are using the rooms at the Presbyterian Church and High School. At 71-1/2 years of age Father Bartel said he was “leaving it in God’s hands” whether the new church would be built in his lifetime. He never expected to be undertaking this project.

As for the old Church, he is “leaving that in God’s hands” as well. It needs a new roof, has structural faults, and fire code violations. They do not want to have to maintain the building or deal with safety factors. The Catholic Church is not planning on having their usual supper downtown for the Christmas Walk this year.

Father Bartel invites anyone interested in viewing the new Church on Garden Plain Road to come out anytime. Their doors are always open.

by Barb Benson, theCity1.com
November 24, 2003