Building Fund

Phase II will be divided into three different projects.

The first project will be the church building itself. The church will seat more than 1,500 people. It will include a sacristy, bridal room, choir rehearsal room, expanded child care, confessionals, restrooms, narthex (lobby), gift shop, storage space, audio-visual room and more.

A second aspect of Phase II will be a free-standing chapel that will seat 150 people for daily Masses, Eucharistic Adoration, Baptisms, smaller weddings and funerals.

The third aspect will be an outdoor amphitheater, grass area for picnics and outdoor events.

It is estimated that the main church will cost between $12-$15 million. We already have close to one-third of that amount in our secured Building Fund thanks to the ongoing contributions of parishioners these past several years.

Every member of our parish should prayerfully consider the sacrifice that God is calling them to make in order to reach our goal. Of course, some will be able to give more and others much less, but if we each sacrifice what we can, we will soon have a new church to accommodate our needs.

We are asking everyone to consider making a 5-year pledge. Some are continuing to pay on their previous pledges. We thank them for this! Others have not yet made a pledge. We ask you to consider doing this. The pledge is not legally binding. If you need to change your pledge amount you will be free to do that. You can also make donations at any time towards the Building Project.

No. The Building Fund is a separate donation. The parish has ongoing expenses that must be met. We ask that you consider how much you can give to the Building Project while continuing your weekly donation to the parish.

Yes, you can indicate this on the pledge envelope. The parish office will be in touch with you about how to do this.

All pledges and any donations made to the Building Project remain in a secured fund and are not touched or taxed by the Diocese of Fresno.

The Diocese requires that most of the funds be raised by the parish before they will sign off on construction. As we approach our goal, it is possible that the Diocese will loan us the remainder of the cost so that we can begin construction. We will have to pay off any loan after we occupy the new church.

All of the religious furnishings, artwork, windows, etc. in the current church space will be moved and incorporated into the new church. The current church space will become a social hall for special events, ministry groups and more.

As you can see from the renderings we have provided, the new church will be traditional in many ways—from its shape to its furnishings. The primary symbols of our Catholic faith will be present in the new church—crucifix, tabernacle, altar, stained glass windows, Stations of the Cross, confessionals, statuary, candles and more. The exterior of the new church will by styled so as to fit in with our current building.

Plans for a school were drawn into our first Master Site Plan. It is uncertain that a school will be built in the near future. It will be up to the next generation of parishioners to make that decision.

As we approach our financial goal for the new church, opportunities will be presented for people to make Memorial Gifts in memory of a loved one. Until then, all money donated will go towards the completion of the building itself.