Building Community - Celebrating Faith

What will our campus look like during construction?

• Construction Site Plan
   
• November 2011 - January 2012
  Complete structural steel shop drawings & fabricate steel construct concrete footings
   
• December 2011 - January 2012
  Construct Concrete Walls
   
• February 2012 - April 2012
  Set structural steel in place
   
• May 2012 - July 2012
  Complete roof deck and steel stud walls
   
• August 2012
  Plaster and roof building to close in weather tight
   
• September 2012
  Install windows and doors
   
• October 2012 - January 2013
  Complete interior finishes, lighting, etc.
   
• November 2012 - January 2013 (Floats/Delays January 2013 March 2013)
  Complete sidewalks, gathering plaza, and landscape around church

Why are we updating our campus?

• Years ago, we asked the question: What type of church community do we want to be as we face the needs and challenges for this decade and century?
   
• After several listening sessions and town hall meetings emerged a vision of St. John Fisher Parish with expanded facilities for our ever-growing ministries.  
  • St. John Fisher has over 75 ministries groups involving from 1,500 to 2000 volunteers.
  
   
• Your comments and recommendations helped craft a well-integrated master building plan that addresses our parishioners needs today and well into the future.
   
• Our Pastoral Council, Finance Council, Building Committee, and Pastoral Staff approved the plan.
   
• The plan addresses:
   
  
  • Age: Electrical, water, and other utilities exist in old forms. We've had several underground pipes break, which cause tens of thousands to fix and replace. By upgrading all of our utilities we avoid having to do costly ad hoc repairs. Plus, we also have the opportunity to be more efficient, cutting costs, while expanding the reach of our network capabilities.
     
  • Facilities: Our parish just doesn't have the room to address all of our expanding ministries and needs. Any active parish needs a long-term plan, and with one of the most active parishes in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, we have to plan for a more active parish in the future.
    See What will the new campus look like?
     
  • Youth: Currently, our youth meet in an office. They seek additional space for any function or event, but currently have no space to call their own. An active and vibrant youth ministries group benefits all Catholics and engages them to live a life of Christ ever day.
    See What will happen to the old church?
     
  • Church: We worship in what was originally built as a Parish Activity Center. By converting it back to its original use, it can serve its purpose for general youth and parish activities. While the new church will be designed and built, well, as a church.
    See What will the new church look like?
     
• Almost fifty years ago parishioners sacrificed and dedicated their time and treasure to leaving us this beautiful campus. We now have a chance to build on what we have received for Catholics today and tomorrow.

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What will the new campus look like?

The overall scope of the Building Campaign requires that:

• Some new buildings will be constructed
• Some existing buildings will be converted to new uses
• Some existing buildings may be removed
• Other existing buildings will remain unchanged

To more effectively manage the work ahead, the various building activities will be organized into a number of activities, which are described below.

Current Building Campaign

• Upgrade Underground Utilities (Complete)
• Create New Play Equipment for the School (Complete)
• Create New Ball Courts for the School (Complete)
• Create New Grass Play Areas for School (Complete)
• Reconfigure Parking With Additional Retaining Walls (Complete)
• Improve Driveway / Ramp Entrance (Complete)
• Convert the Existing Convent to a New Rectory (Complete)
• Construct New Maintenance Garage (Near New Rectory) (Complete)
• Remove Existing / Old Rectory (to Make Way for the New Church) (Complete)
• Construct New Church (In Progress)
• Convert Old Church to a Gym / Parish Activity Center (PAC)
• Create New Gathering Plaza
• Add New Sign and Stairs at Street Level (at the Corner of Crest Road and Crenshaw Blvd.)
• Enhance Site Lighting and Landscape Throughout (In Progress)

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What will the new church look like?

This section provides additional information about the New Church which is the major focus of the current Building Campaign.

Simulated Interior Views

Following are several views of the interior of the church that indicate possible colors, textures and materials.

This rendering shows the interior of the new church viewed from the entrance and the current design of the baptismal font, altar, and ambo, the area near the altar from which Scripture is read. The streamlined font gives abundant access to the baptismal waters and includes a large blessing bowl and immersion pool. Like the font, the stone altar and ambo reflect the graceful curves of the buildings structural elements and windows. The ambo is adjustable in height to accommodate children and those in a wheelchair.

This rendering shows the floor pattern for the center aisle. The pattern reflects the shape of the font.

Blessed Sacrament Chapel

The exterior view of the building shows the tower at the Blessed Sacrament Chapel and gives a hint as to the soaring space within. The interior view shows the entrance into the Chapel. The Chapel is immediately visible upon entrance to the church, yet is a place for quiet and intimate prayer.

Church Entrance Art Glass

Following are views of how the art glass from the old church will be relocated to the Narthex (entrance) of the new church.

Simulated Views of Steel Beam Construction

Steel beam structure of the new church.

Simulated Exterior Views of the New Church

Following are various external views of the new church.

View of the Gathering Plaza in front of the new church.

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What will happen to the old church?

Welcome to our New Parish Activity Center!

• In 1962, the original site plan called for the existing church to be used as a Parish Auditorium, Gymnasium, and Hall.
   
• The current plan will convert the existing space back to its intended function of a multi-purpose Parish Activity Center for all families to use.
   
• Today it is important to include a youth component. Giving young people a place to interact and socialize, as well as creating a more robust program, will keep them engaged as they continue their faith journey.
   
• In a world becoming more secular every day, it is important we make a strong effort to pass on our Catholic traditions and heritage in a more focused and modern way.
   
• The projected cost of the building is less than $1 million dollars and includes some of the following elements. (Click on image to view a larger version)

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How are we spending our money?

• We aim to be good stewards of the monies we are entrusted. So, our goal is to be as transparent as possible with where funds are allocated.
   
• Our Building Committee, Pastoral Staff, and Finance Council have put together our estimates for the total project costs.
   
• As you know, all projects of this magnitude run into extra hurdles and there are cost overruns, but in the overall scheme of things, we are close to our original projections and feel positive about our direction.
   
• For its part the Archdiocese has taken the tough financial lessons learned from the last few years and requires we have the full cost of the project, plus contingencies, pledged in order to proceed.

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How can I help?

I Ask of You Three Things:

1. Consider what St. John Fisher means to you
2. Listen with an open heart and mind and inform yourself about the project.
3. Act when called upon and consider making a sacrificial gift.

EVERY DONOR WILL BE RECOGNIZED ON OUR DONOR WALL REGARDLESS OF PLEDGE SIZE

"Now Jesus looked up and saw rich people dropping their gifts into the offering box. Then he saw a destitute widow drop in two small copper coins. He said, "I tell you with certainty, this destitute widow has dropped in more than all of them, because all the others contributed to the offering out of their surplus, but she, in her poverty, dropped in everything she had to live on."

Luke 21:1-4

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Who can I contact if I have questions?

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