Building Our Future

Wood framing has begun

Ashton Wynne has been erecting the wood framing this week and the true character of the Church building is beginning to take shape. See the photo.

Construction update 6/2/2011

A symbolic milestone has just happened: the raising of the dome structure above the Church. Standing 65 feet tall and ultimately topped with a cross, the dome will serve as a welcome beacon for all to see in the Mid-Cities community.

Although the continuous rain showers in May have hampered construction progress we continue to make great strides. With the dome now set Ashton Wynne will be erecting the wood framing and the true character of the Church will be displayed.

The Building Committee has completed the material selec- tions for the exterior of the Church. Hopefully you have had a chance to view the brick and natural stone combination on the mock-up erected in the parking lot. Our next exterior selections will be concentrated on finalizing the metal roof and exterior glass decorative windows. In the coming months we are also going to be sourcing and selecting interior finishes in compliance with our stated    budget allowances    for each item.

Joe Sullivan

Building    Committee Chairman

Huge Milestone – The dome raising – 5/31/2011

January 2011 Construction Status

Now that our Sunday School and Offices addition is completed we can concentrate on the building of the New Church.

In December 2010 the Old and Faithful Paulos center was demolished to make way for our New Church. A small sacrifice for a greater cause. Its functions have already been taken over by our new addition. Children and teachers seem to be enjoying their new learning environment.

With the site cleared our general Contractor, Ashton Wynne, has finalized the earthwork compacting the soil and bringing the pad up to the proper grade. 

Pier location and the retaining wall along the creek area has been laid out and the concrete subcontractor mobilized in January to prepare for the pier installation and foundation. 

Concrete work will require approximately 4 weeks to complete (pending weather conditions) resulting in a finished foundation.  Ashton Wynne is in the process of ordering the steel members and will begin erecting the steel structure upon completion of the building foundation. 

The Building Committee is conducting a meeting on January 27^th to review and select exterior finishes, which we plan to have available for parishioners to view upon final completion.

In the mean time Presvytera Mirela concentrates on the interior of the new church working with our iconographer Vladimir Grygorenko on the design for our new iconostasis.

Joe Sullivan – Building Committee Chairman

August Construction Status

Construction activities are progressing at a much faster pace now that the fire line is installed and approved by the Fire Marshall and the Phase 1 Paulos Center Replacement Addition foundation is poured.

Late August and early September will see the framing of the addition’s walls, roof construction, electrical and mechanical systems’ rough-in and exterior work being executed. September the interior finishes will progress to ultimately finish out the addition. See some construction photos bellow

It is with great excitement that we will participate as a community in the groundbreaking ceremony wi t h Hi s Emi n e n c e Archbishop Isaiah on September 11th. Our goal, soon after this significant event, will be to apply for permits and begin construction of thenew Church after this year’s Food Festival, the first step being the demolition and site clearing of the former Paulos Center.

If you have any questions regarding the overall planning schedule of the Capital Development Program, please do not hesitate to ask me or any member of the Building Committee.

Joe Sullivan,

Chairman

Replat Application and Site Plan approved by the Planning and Zoning Committee

We are pleased to report that the Replat Application and Site Plan for the new Church was unanimously approved by the City of Euless Planning and Zoning Commission during their Public Hearing at City Hall on May 18th. As such, the Commission will be recommending approval of the plans to the City Council during their meeting on June 8th. City Council approval is the final step for allowing us to begin the Paulos Center Replacement Addition, Church construction and all site improvements.

St. John’s has entered into a contractual agreement with Ashton Wynne to serve as the Construction Manager for the Phase 1 Paulos Center Replacement Addition and the Phase 2 Demolition of the existing Paulos Center. Upon obtaining the necessary permits, they will begin construction activities on-site in June with the goal of completing the addition before the September 11th groundbreaking ceremony.

After reviewing the overall schedule with the Parish Council, it was agreed to delay the demolition of the existing Paulos Center until after this year’s Festival. Based upon the continued success of the Capital Campaign, it is planned to demo the existing Paulos Center and start construction of the new Church right after the Festival.

If you have any questions regarding this initial phase of the Capital Development Program, please do not hesitate to ask me or any member of the Building Committee.

Joe Sullivan

Building Committee Chairman

$1.5 Million Milestone Achieved!!

The Capital Campaign is nearing the end of a brief but exciting and successful two-and-one-half months of activity since its beginning in mid-October, after the Food Festival.  We are happy to report the parishioners of St. John the Baptist have, as of Sunday, December 20^th, stepped forward to offer commitments  in the total of amount of $1,552,010.  We are humbled at the generosity displayed by these commitments and we are strengthened by our fellow parishioners’ demonstrated resolve to build the new church.   

As of December 20^th, this level of total commitment has been achieved by about one-half the number of stewards of the Parish.  We are confident many of our as yet uncommitted stewards and regular parishioners will also decide to step forward during the remaining weeks of December before we conclude the Capital Campaign’s first year of activities…  The Campaign will continue anew in the New Year as we strive to reach the ultimate goal of $2,400,000, of which the first $2.0 million will be for construction of the new church building. 

During the first half of the year 2010, the Capital Campaign Committee’s focus will be on working with the Parish Council and the Building Committee to finalize plans for the Paulos Center Replacement addition to the hall/church building.  We must build the Paulos Center Replacement and demolish the old building before we can start construction of the new church.  This will take-up approximately the first half of the New Year during which time we hope our uncommitted parishioners will be able to make their commitments to the Capital Campaign Fund according to their abilities…  At the same time, the CCC will be launching the Campaign BRIDGE program to Build communications, Report financial information; Involve new members; Discover new ministries; Grow our stewardship culture; and, Express our appreciation continually to those who are making it possible to “Build Our Future” with their commitments and contributions no matter what size.   With the support of Fr. Vasile and the Parish Council, we hope to use the Capital Campaign and the development of the new church to prepare the Parish for the additional growth we expect with the opening of the new church and other renovated and expanded facilities over the next several years’ time. 

As we have reported to the Parish at the various Campaign events, a financially secure Capital Campaign Fund Account has been opened at a local bank and arrangements have also been made for acceptance of non-cash contributions in payment of commitments for those who desire to transfer securities to the CCFA.  Please contact the Council Treasurer or any member of the CCC for further information and directions as to the steps to take when transferring securities. 

The members of your Capital Campaign Committee wish you and yours a Blessed Christmas and to all of us a very Happy, Healthy and Successful New Year…

George Vittas, Chairman, Dr. Chris Yiantsou, Paun Peters, Nancy Medvic, Louis Papaliodis and Margaret Chokas

Exciting news from the Building our Future Capital Campaign!!

Beloved brothers and Sisters,

We just witnessed a historical moment yesterday at St. John the Baptist at the “Total Parish Commitment” event. The entire parish gathered in prayer and commitment as they pledged their contributions to the parish’s building plans for a new Byzantine Church on the property.

To date, our fellow parishioners have committed a total of $935,245 towards the ultimate campaign goal of $2.4 million, of which $2,057,000 is the current estimate for the actual construction of the new church building.  It is exciting to realize that in a few short weeks we have received pledged commitments totaling nearly one-half the amount needed to build our new church. 

We would like to take a moment and thank everyone for their generous contributions; their support to the Lord’s mission in our community will not go unrewarded.

I would also like to point out that all this has been achieved by only 47 parishioners, less than half the number of current Parish Stewards.  We are hopeful of and excited at the prospect of receiving additional Capital Campaign commitments from the remainder of the Parish. 

If you have not committed yet be sure that your participation will make a difference and we truly would like to see all of our parishioners involved so we may all, every one of us, know that we played a part in this achievement on the day the doors of our new church are opened.

I thank again to all that have already joined and ask everyone else to give their most prayerful and thoughtful consideration to our common project and hope that they will decide to be a part of this historic undertaking.

We are looking forward to seeing you all next Sunday, December 20 at the “First Fruits Gathering“ when we hope you will be prepared to make the first contributions on your commitment.

The Capital Campaign Committee will keep everybody informed as to the progress of the Capital Campaign Fund and will send periodic reports on the status of our commitment and payments.

With my sincerest thanks and the gratitude of your Capital Campaign Committee,

In Christ’s service,

Fr. Vasile