St. Benedict's Church begins a $3.5 million fundraising campaign

The view of the church and addition from Court Street

St. Benedict's Catholic Church in Decorah has embarked on a $3.5 million capital campaign to raise the funds necessary to renovate the current church building. 

The fundraising campaign officially began with presentations to the parish community during Masses this past weekend.  It will continue through mid-January.  Currently, the church has already raised close to $1.5 million.

Before renovations can begin, the church must first remove the house that stands to the south on Court Street.  That would allow for the construction of a southern-facing addition, which will provide an entrance and welcoming space.  From this new main entrance, parishioners will be able to enter a new chapel, access restrooms, access an elevator, use an additional staircase to get to the balcony of the sanctuary, and enter the main sanctuary area.  The addition also includes a covered walkway supported by columns and attached to a building which will provide both a covered space for drop-offs and pick-ups and improved traffic flow.

A new, large kitchen will be installed in the basement underneath the new addition, with additional restrooms and a space for smaller groups to hold meetings.  The elevator will provide much improved handicap accessibility to the basement.  The current ramp (accessible only by going outdoors) will be removed.  Additionally, the parish hall will be updated with the removal of the current paneling, deconstruction of the current kitchen, updated utilities, new carpet, and seating space for 210 people.

All these changes will cost approximately $3 million.  If the goal of the capital campaign can be reached in its entirety, additional updates will take place inside the main sanctuary.  These finishing projects include replacing the pews, repainting the walls, replacing the flooring and carpet, and installing new lights and an improved sound system.

Depending on weather and successful fundraising, a ground-breaking ceremony for the renovation will be held in late spring or early summer 2017.