Additional Information

• Arial view of the existing and future church sites
  

• Site Plan
  

• Floor Plan
  

• In Pew Survey
  Click here to see the survey results

• 8/21/05 The Good Old Days

• 8/14/05 Advertising Opportunity for Business Owners and Professionals

• 8/7/05 So Who Asked For Your Opinion?

• 7/31/05 Passing On The Faith

• 7/24/05 Faith Formation Center advantages for Religious Education Center on our own campus.

• 7/17/05 Pathway To The Future: Phase One Planning Begins

• 7/3/05 Futures Teams Reorganize to Focus on “ Faith Formation Center ” as First Phase of Parish Expansion Project  
  

• 6/26/05 "Reasons Why Religious Education (CCD) Is In Need Of A Faith Formation Center On Campus."

• 6/19/05 "First Phase of New Church Campus Project to focus on Faith Formation Center”

• 4/18/05 "Pastor's letter to Futures Teams announcing focus will shift to Faith Formation Center as first phase.

New Church Campus Update:
By Vicki Cottrell, Futures Team Secretary

When Father Will came to the Church of the Visitation on December 28, 1990, one of the directives given to him by the bishop was to build a new church.  He knew that the time was not right at that point.  He chose to spend time getting to know the people and understand the needs of the parish before undertaking such a large and important endeavor.  In February 1999 he formed a team of people from varied background and levels of expertise to study the issue in depth.  Understanding the needs of the parish, both now and in the future, and investigating ways to meet those needs were the top priority of the team. 

A number of steps were taken to reach the point where they were comfortable presenting their findings to the parish. 

The team worked hard to understand the current situation.  Both the positive aspects and the limitations of the current church complex, which is situated on 1.9 acres of land, were investigated.  Everyone’s own experiences were combined with informal discussions with a number of parishioners.  A variety of ages, backgrounds, interests and levels of involvement with the church were tapped for their input.  In late summer of 1999, a survey was conducted during weekend masses to better understand the feelings of the parish.  In October 2000, a survey was sent to all registered parishioners to further understand their support regarding a new church campus. The results of these surveys were included in the decision making process.

The findings indicated that the team should continue to move forward and investigate the potential of the 32 acres of land that was acquired by the former pastors of the Church of the Visitation to build a new church campus.  The goal was to develop a flexible design that would have the least impact on the neighborhood, be pleasing, workable and above all a place where we all can gather to celebrate and worship together.

As a parallel activity, engineering firms and architects were contacted, interviewed, references were checked and visits to other churches were conducted.  Bay Point Engineering did some preliminary work on mapping the property.  The state has done a preliminary review of the information and indicated that the property does not contain any wetlands. Martin DeSapio was selected to take all of the information about the future needs of the parish and develop rough drawings of some possibilities.  The team strove to achieve a balance between having some renderings that would have enough detail to give us a sense of possibilities to best satisfy the needs of the parish without getting so detailed that it would be difficult (and expensive) to include input from the parish.

The initial sketches call for a church with two attached wings.  One would house the various ministries as well as provide meeting space.  The second wing would provide space for CCD classrooms.  The classrooms would be designed to double as pre-school and/or adult care facilities. Space for a mausoleum has been discussed, but is not currently being shown on all of the drawings.   In order to allow for future growth, it was necessary to develop a site plan that includes everything that we might want to do in the future.  This will speed the approval process down the road.  Some of the additional facilities on the master site plan are a building that could be a school or a future parish center, sports fields and a rectory.

The team is still investigating additional possibilities for the land, including selling some of it, using it to grow Christmas trees, and/or selling the existing facilities.  Each aspect will be investigated.  Input from the town meetings will be incorporated in the decision making process.

Once the team saw the potential for a new campus, they investigated some possibilities for the existing structures.  Studies are underway to investigate the viability of using the existing church structure for revenue generating events such as sports, plays, dinners, etc. etc. etc.  The list of possibilities is only limited by our imaginations.  The goal would be to have the building self-sufficient.  Additional studies are underway to determine the practicality of using some of the space in the CCD wing for pre-school and/or adult care facilities during the day. CCD classes could then be held late afternoon, early evening and/or weekends.  A mausoleum has also been discussed as a way to bring a sense of a full life cycle connection to the church as well as generate income to help build and sustain the church campus.  All of this information was reviewed and again the team felt that it should continue moving forward.

An important step in building a new church is to obtain permission from the bishop.  In order to do this, the parish needs to demonstrate that the parishioners are in favor of the project and are willing to make the necessary sacrifice to support the project.

As of this writing, six Parish Town meetings have been held.  The final general meeting is scheduled for August 19^th.  Additional information sessions are being planned.  will be geared to the parents of the CCD children.

The meetings were a combination of presentations by team members to share the findings and the possibilities that were uncovered over the last two and a half years, and a Question and Answer period.

Overall, the feedback from the parishioners was positive.  Most of the sessions shared similar questions and concerns.  Many good suggestions and considerations were raised.   People were asked to fill out an Exit Survey to judge the effectiveness of the meetings as well as a sense of whether or not the team is on track with their recommendations.  These suggestions, recommendations and concerns will all be used to help determine the future of the Church of the Visitation.

The next step in this feasibility phase is the personal/individual interviews with parishioners.  This, by Diocesan request, is to be accomplished by a professional company.  The team is in the final stages of interviewing firms, and hopes to have this phase underway in September.  This approach is a signal to us about the seriousness of this endeavor and it’s hopeful beginning.  Our aim is to complete this study phase by the end of this year. 

There were as number of questions and concerns that arose at the town meetings. A full report will be presented to the parishioners, but in the meantime, here are some of the most common questions.  As you read through this information, please keep in mind that nothing is finalized at this point, and plans are subject to change as additional information becomes available:

Question: Will the project be phased?

Answer:    Yes.  The first effort will focus on the church, CCD wing and ministry/administration wing.  This could be split into smaller components, however, this will increase the overall costs.  The mausoleum could be a separate phase.  The school and rectory are future phases.

Question: Where will the entrances and exits be?

Answer:    Laurel Avenue will provide the main access.

Question: Will Laurel Avenue be improved and will we be responsible for the cost?

Answer:    Laurel Avenue will be expanded in the area of the church property to include acceleration and deceleration lanes.  We will be responsible for the cost of improving this county road.  A Traffic study is required to determine details.

Question: How many parking spaces will there be? How many handicapped spaces will there be?

Answer:    The current site plan allows for over 500 vehicles.  The number of spaces is dictated by township requirements. The number of spaces for handicapped parking will meet or exceed federal guidelines.  Although the parking lot is large, it will be closer and safer than the parking 3-4 blocks away that is currently required with the current church.

Question: Will the building look like a church?

Answer:    One of the concerns of the team has been to make sure that the new church be one of beauty and inspiration.  The team feels strongly that the structure be easily recognizable as a church.  Over the years the guidelines for new church buildings have changed to adapt to changes in the liturgy.  The new building will adhere to all the current guidelines.  The current renderings were developed as general guidelines of what “could be”.  Much of the detail, such as arches, columns, stained glass, etc. was not shown at this time.  Once permission has been gained from the bishop to proceed, detailed work will begin. 

Question: What will be done to protect the neighboring properties?

Answer:   Wide landscaped buffer zones will be incorporated around all of the perimeters of the property

Question: How will we afford the maintenance on such a large campus?

Answer:    State of the art technology will be employed to increase the efficiency of the building and keep the energy costs as low as possible.  The building will be designed for minimum maintenance.  Various revenue-generating possibilities, such as pre-school and adult care facilities, are under investigation.

Question: When will actual construction start and how long will it take?

Answer:    A starting date for the project depends on gaining the necessary support from the parish, approvals from the bishop to proceed and state and federal permit processes.  A campaign could start as early as next year and the project could be complete by 2004.  This time line could be 2 – 3 years longer depending on a number of factors.

Question: What are the plans for the existing church?

Answer:    The team would like to see the existing church converted for use as a gymnasium and parish center.  Since it was originally designed as a gym and cafeteria for a parochial school, this should not be a huge undertaking.

Question: How will we be able to afford to maintain both buildings?

Answer:    A team will be formed by the end of the year to investigate ways to make the exiting structure self sufficient from a financial standpoint.  In addition to sports facilities, banquets, plays, and seminars, many other activities could be held to generate revenue.  The finding of the team will help to determine the future for the existing facility.

Question: How much will the project cost?

Answer:    Anywhere from $6 – 10 million – depending on the approach that is taken and the final design and size needs.  The team had been looking at a seating capacity of 1200, however, in light of the growth and direction from the bishop’s office, seating for a minimum of 1500 people will probably be included in the final plans.

Summer 2001 Brochure:

Dear Parishioner,

 Since the very beginning of the Church of the Visitation in 1948, the people of the Parish have been under the patronage of the Blessed Virgin Mary and her cousin Saint Elizabeth. Through the last half of the 20th Century, Mary and Elizabeth have been our guides, our encouragement, and our protectors. Over these years, tens of thousands of our parishioners have offered God their prayers, time, talents and treasure to build the church of the Visitation.

As you probably know, we have been experiencing significant growth in our area over the past several years. Our facilities need to be expanded to provide for the increasing numbers in our Parish. We need to reconsider the arrangements under which over 1,300 of our children receive their religious instruction each Sunday. We also must consider the needs of our senior population. We have a great need for easier access to our church facilities. These and many other considerations have been reviewed by the Futures Committee over the past two years.

As our parish population grows and as our priests age and retire, we may need to reduce the number of weekend Masses. Thus we will become increasingly cramped for space. Parking is already very difficult and at times impossible. Father Spisak, the pastor who coordinated the construction of our pre- sent church building in 1966, anticipated the future need for larger worship space. His intention was that the current building become a parish center. Today this need for a larger worship space has become a reality. It is time to build new and to convert our current facility to a parish center to house social, community and sports events.

Over the past twenty years, our church has acquired 34 acres of wooded land near our present facilities. This land has been purchased through the years with the intention of acquir- ing space to expand our parish as it's needs expand. We are now seriously considering a new Church Complex on this land. Sketches of the potential layout have been on exhibit in the church vestibule for several months. Before we make a final decision to build a new church complex we will be conducting town meetings to determine our parishioners willingness to support the new facility .

I thank you for your kindness and attention to this challenge. My prayer is that God may bless your generosity every- day. "Behold! Blessed are you who continue the work of the Lord."

Rev. William M. Dunlap,
     Pastor

  THE PROJECT

A two year study by the Futures Team, including surveys, meetings with various church organizations volunteers and architects has resulted in the following specifications for our new church complex:

• The seating in the worship area will accommodate 1200 people and be expandable to 1360. It would be arranged in a semi-circular design that would enhance the assembly's sight lines and invite participation, bonding, and community identity .An appropriately placed Baptismal Font would inspire and identify our mutual beginnings in Grace, thereby helping the faith family to open themselves to Christ's Sacraments.

• The worship area will include state-of-the-art lighting and sound. Lighting will allow functionality, drama and artistry that, when combined with the effective use of natural lighting will create an atmosphere that enhances worship and inspires meditation. Acoustically balanced sound with special considerations for the hearing impaired will allow the Word Of God to be more clearly heard by all.

• The new church would also include expanded space for the vesting of clergy and altar servers, as well as other Mass preparation activities.

• Ground level accessibility to the entire complex will eliminate the need for long ramps and chair lifts.

• Sufficient onsite parking for all parishioners attending Mass has been planned, increasing both safety and convenience for all.

• A larger vestibule and hospitality area would enhance Community Sunday activities.

• Adequate rehearsal space for the music ministry would help keep the worship area open for prayer.

•  Classrooms for faith formation of both children and adults have been included in this new complex, creating a greater opportunity for all to grow in the knowledge of their faith. These areas would also serve as additional meeting places for current and future organizations in our parish.

• .Last, but not least, the new complex would allow for an expansion of parish social and sports activities Some ideas that are being discussed are a preschool and an adult day-care program.

THE GOAL

• Worship area to seat between 1200 and 1360 people
  

• Quiet devotional space as well as public worship space.
  

• State of the art lighting and sound.
  

• Expanded Mass preparation space.
  

• Ground level accessibility.
  

• On site parking for all.
  

• Larger gathering & hospitality areas.

• Separate rehearsal space for the music ministry.

• Classrooms for faith formation.

• Greater availability of social and sports activities.

DEVELOPING A BUILDING FUND CAMPAIGN

 To make our goal a reality, the entire parish community needs to be developed as a team. Total commitment and cooperation on behalf of the entire parish community is necessary. In any parish it is the pastor's responsibility to create, plan, and develop programs that promote the growth of the parishioners both personally and spiritually. Together, in my tenure here as Pastor, we have done many good things to accomplish common goals. I see this new complex, not only as the development of the vision of my predecessors, but as an expression of confidence in those who will follow us. I look forward to working as a parish community to achieve this new goal.

The three most important means to accomplishing our goal are Prayer, Education, and Commitment.

Prayer: As in every one of life's endeavors, prayer is the first step. We pray for the wisdom to make decisions that will benefit us today as well as the foresight to prepare for the future. We pray for the patience to see this project through in all its details. We pray for the generosity of heart and spirit that will help us support a project of this magnitude with our talents and our treasure.

Education: This brochure is only the beginning. We hope that all parishioners will take a personal interest in this project. Town meeting dates will be posted. Dates and times will be varied in the hope that all will find a convenient time to learn more about this project.

Commitment: Last, but not least, we must make both a personal commitment and a community commitment to support this project -with our time, our talent, and our treasure.

A successful campaign comes down to sacrifice, the willingness to pay the price. All parishioners must be willing to make the financial sacrifices for the success of the parish goals in any building fund endeavor. A project of this magnitude requires the complete desire and dedication of each parishioner to guarantee the success of the entire program. This new church complex was the vision of those who came before us. It is the vision of the Futures Committee today. It is my hope and prayer that it will become the vision of the entire Visitation Parish Community.

Come join the Team to build a New Church Complex!