St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church - Traverse, MI issued the following announcement on July 21.

There’s a sense of excitement as the building rises above the ground and begins to take shape. Since many have not returned to Mass quite yet, you might not be aware of the progress we’re making. I encourage you to come by and see what’s happening. We lost a few weeks due to the mandatory work shutdown, but things are really moving! We will continue to post photos on the website www.sfparish.org and on our Facebook page, @sfparishtc.

Since we’ve all had our lives disrupted due to the pandemic, let’s regroup and remember where we left off this spring. The project began with building a new rectory on a different site, making room to expand our facilities on the southwest portion of our property. After a successful capital campaign, we had about $6 million in cash and pledges left to complete the project after the cost of the architect fees, the rectory, and other start up costs. Unfortunately all five bids came in way above our budget. The lowest bid, if you added a normal contingency allowance of 7-10%, would have been around $9 million.

The problem stemmed from rapidly rising costs for construction and raw materials. Many local businesses experienced the same crunch over the last three years or so. When the original design phase and fundraising started under Fr. Ken, the budget would’ve been adequate. Unfortunately, by the time we went out for bids last spring things had changed dramatically.

In response to the problem, we assembled a smaller task force of builders and architects to evaluate our options. We worked with our architect and contractor to find cost savings while still keeping the original vision for the project. We determined that $6 million would only allow us to replace the old structure without gaining much space. The finance council and capital campaign committee rejected this option because it didn’t accomplish the vision for the project.

Eventually we arrived at a plan that came to about $7.5 million (including contingency allowance). This saves about $1.5 million from the original bids while still retaining the larger family center from the original plan, expanding the narthex and kitchen, and adding a chapel. A major part of the cost reduction comes from building but not finishing the basement or the chapel.

Our leadership and the diocesan finance council agreed that we should move ahead with construction while continuing to raise the essential funds for this important project. Waiting would just lead to higher costs due to winter conditions and the current construction market in this area. So we broke ground last fall.

The project will be completed due to a line of credit extended by the diocese. We still need to raise funds to pay off the loan and to purchase kitchen equipment, and furnishings for the family center and chapel.

Some of our parishioners have chosen to wait until construction begins before contributing to the project. We’ve reached that stage, but the pandemic has changed our lives in so many ways. Parishes normally see new or extended contributions to a building project once the construction is underway. I ask you to prayerfully consider your role in supporting this project, whether you’ve already contributed or still discerning your gift.

This has been a long and challenging process, but with God’s help and your generosity, we can achieve a wonderful outcome that will serve the needs of this dynamic parish for generations to come. This project is not about brick and mortar. It’s about building for our future, allowing us to serve God’s people more effectively and serving the sacred mission entrusted to us.

St. Paul said to the Church in his day: “I am confident of this, that the One who began a good work in you will bring it to completion”

We too can be confident in our day as well, that if we dig deep and really trust in God’s grace,

then the One who began this good work will bring it to completion. Amen 

Original source can be found here.