St. Raphael church construction proceeds smoothly in anticipation of August dedication

Blue skies and warmer temperatures enabled construction workers to apply shingles to the new sanctuary Friday.Beth Mlady/Special to Sun News

BAY VILLAGE, Ohio - New construction continues on schedule and without issue at St. Raphael Catholic Churchon Dover Center Road. Roofers could be seen applying shingles to the new buildings during warmer temperaturesFriday.

The Phase 2 Expansion Projectreceived Bay Village Planning Commission approval in July 2013 and included plans to build a much larger, fan-shaped worship space to allow for 1,100 pew seats and up to 100 choir members. In addition, large gatherings and funeral luncheons will take place in a new community room.

A capital campaign continues to accumulate pledges toward a nearly attained $7 million goal. Ground was broken last summer, and construction was expected to last up to 15 months. The original altar, stained glass windows and crucifix will be reused in the new sanctuary.

Parishioner and project manager Kris McGivney recently expressed her happiness with the way the project is proceeding.

"Things are going extremely well, and we're very excited about it," McGivney said. "I think one of the highlights was a couple of weeks ago when we let people take a walk through the construction to see where we are. They were all very excited about it, to get a feel for what the new church will look like."

Those March 14 and 15 after-Mass visits enabled parishioners to place decorated stones under the location of the future altar,providing a personal and poignant foundation. People also wrote messages and prayers on the unfinished cement floor.

The Rev. Tim Gareausaid Monday he can't wait for the congregation to become permanently settled in its new home. Before then, he added with a laugh, he will need a new pair of shoes to replace his dust-covered ones due to repeatedly walking daily to and from the construction site.

"There is such living faith here," Gareau said about his parishioners. "People are really on board and excited and enthused. We have such a nice team ... here at St. Raphael. It's the hands and hearts of our people. From the smallest among us to the oldest, we're just all working together as a family to make this happen."

Even priests, he explained, have moments of "fear and trepidation" when faced with a task of this magnitude.

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St. Raphael church construction proceeds smoothly in anticipation of August dedication