St. Benedict's Church will begin a $3 million addition

Tentative plans for the addition, with the addition shown on the bottom. Some minor changes in plans might be made before construction begins

St. Benedict's Catholic Church of Decorah is announcing it has raised 95 percent of the goal of  $3 million needed for an addition and renovations to its church building.  That means the church will break ground on the project in late spring. 

The goal is to have the addition completed before winter to allow construction to continue without interruption through the colder months.  If all goes as scheduled, the addition and renovation will be completed by early summer 2018.

The renovation will involve all three levels of the church.

On the street level, the southern-facing addition will provide a much-needed entrance (including a portico) and a welcoming/gathering space.  The addition will have large, angled windows designed to let as much natural light into the new space as possible.  

From this new main entrance, parishioners will be able to enter a new chapel, access new restrooms and an elevator, use an additional staircase to get to the balcony of the sanctuary, and enter the main sanctuary area.  The chapel, which also includes a confessional, will have a retracting wall so that it can be open to the main sanctuary area at times when overflow seating is necessary.  Inside the sanctuary, the altar will be extended and a few pews removed to allow for better viewing for all, handicap accessibility, and more space for musicians and the choir.  

The basement portion of the addition will include a new, large kitchen, with additional restrooms and a space for smaller groups to hold meetings.  The elevator will provide much improved handicap accessibility to the basement, and 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 at least 240 people.

If the capital campaign can exceed the $3 million goal, additional money will be spent on updates inside the main sanctuary, including replacing the pews, repainting the walls, replacing the flooring and carpet, and installing new lights and an improved sound system.

Before construction begins, the house to the south of the church and its garage will be moved to property on Highway 52 between Decorah and Calmar.