Reverend Cyril J. Burns Parish Hall

Grand Opening January 4-5, 2003

Milestones
	March 25, 2002: We received permission to proceed with construction. The contract ($2.85 million) will be with A. R. Green Company. Groundbreaking is to commence in the spring. Larger view of the architectural plan (208K).
	April 14, 2002: The official groundbreaking ceremony took place after the 11 a.m. Mass. Construction is underway! More photos of the groundbreaking.
	September 8, 2002: The general contractor informed us that our new Parish Hall would be ready for occupancy by mid to late December. See Construction photos from early September.
	October 2002: These photos show the progress on the exterior of the building. Roof shingles would be going on soon.
	January 4, 2003: Gala Grand Opening! See also the Daily Hampshire Gazette article about this event.

BACKGROUND (2001)

For the past 53 years, the Roman Catholic Community of St. Theresa of Lisieux has been an integral part of both the Town of South Hadley and the Diocese of Springfield. At first it was a mission of St. Patrick's, the mother church in South Hadley, and the church on Newton Street was known as Little Flower Chapel. But as the number of its members grew, it became an independent parish. Eventually, the needs of the parish exceeded the capacity of the building on Newton Street and a new church was built in 1971 under the capable guidance of Fr. Henry McKeon.

For nearly three decades the current church, sited on a beautiful campus of 28 acres of land, has served the spiritual and sacramental needs of our fellow parishioners. The former chapel and basement hall served the educational and social needs of our brothers and sisters. Today, however, our former property on Newton Street has been sold, and while we have a magnificent church, we lack an on-site facilityfor educational and social needs. Although the rectory has been fully renovated and there is meeting space available in it, a rectory cannot accomplish those things which only a hall can do.

Some years ago, Fr. Cyril Burns very wisely began to save money and put this aside toward a future parish hall. Thanks to his brilliant investment skills, we began with a building fund of $700,000. To this we have added the proceeds from the sale of the former chapel on Newton Street. Most importantly, we have raised close to $2,265,000 in funds as part of the Diocesan Future of Hope campaign.

As curently envisioned, the new hall will be attached to the south transept of the church (i.e., facing toward the rectory):

THE HALL WILL HAVE A large multi-purpose room that will seat 300 people or be used for athletics A fully equipped kitchen that will accomodate parish meals Five meeting rooms / classrooms for religious education as well as committee and group meetings A room for babysitting during Sunday Mass Air-conditioning and accessibility for handicapped persons Much needed storage space

THE CHURCH WILL HAVE An improved baptismal area in the north transept A new reconciliation room A new area for all musicians with a pipe organ and piano A fully designed chapel for daily Mass and adoration THE CAMPUS WILL HAVE A re-paved parking lot Improved entry and exit for cars as well as improved traffic flow

Plan of Church with hall. [Larger view (208 KB)]

Once the hall is complete and the site work is done, we will be able to address the additional renovation needs of the church.

© 2002 • Comments regarding this site may be directed to sttheresas@www.diospringfield.org