Construction to begin for St. Mary's project

Since starting a capital campaign a little more than a year ago, St. Mary’s Parish has more than $3.5 million pledged to begin an expansion and remodeling project. A total of $2.5 million has been raised with the remaining $1 million to come in within the coming year.
Construction will begin now that school is out for the year. Sande Construction of Humboldt will be the general contractor.
“We have a tight timeframe. The plan is to start construction right away and have the school portion of the project completed by the start of the school year in August,” Father Dan Guenther, Pastor of St. Mary’s Parish, said.
The project includes a renovation of St. Mary School in Humboldt. Additional instructional space will be added (about 3,300 square feet) so that all of the classrooms are under one roof. A new parish center, approximately 8,400 square feet, will be constructed that will host education rooms for groups gathering to share faith as well as a large room to hold parish functions. New offices for parish staff will be part of the parish center as well as new large, handicap accessible restrooms and a kitchenette.
The rectory and convent buildings will be demolished. The rectory is currently being used for parish offices and meeting space. The convent building is used by the school for the library and music class.
Each school classroom will have a complete renovation with new storage units, new ceiling tile, new carpet, new paint and whiteboards installed to replace blackboards. There will be a new, clearly defined entrance to the school on the southeast corner of the school with a new office for the Principal, an office for the secretary and reception area.
A two-story addition will be built on the northwest side of the school to accommodate a STEM classroom and school library. The second story will be used for storage.
New windows were installed in the school last year thanks to a grant from the Humboldt County Community Foundation. Lighting has also been upgraded recently in the school.
St. Mary School offers programming for pre-kindergarten through sixth grade students. Current enrollment is 165 students with a staff of 27. Cindy Edge serves as Principal.
“This building project will have a great impact on St. Mary Parish and School facilities. We offer a Catholic education in a Christ-centered environment, which enables students to attain religious and academic excellence. This building project will enhance the experience of our students and teachers. The generosity of parish families and community members is very meaningful to the students, teachers and staff of St. Mary School,” Principal Cindy Edge said.
“St. Mary’s Capital Campaign, building and renovation project is one of the greatest and most exciting projects for this parish in decades. This will greatly enhance our ministry of education and provide much needed space for parish and school programs and committees. This will help us to do so much more than simply survive as a parish, but to grow and become our best. Many wonderful parishioners have worked on this project and made significant gifts to the campaign,” Father Guenther said.
The parish has more and more youth and adult faith formation programs happening but not the necessary space. Both the former rectory and convent had structural limitations and safety concerns.
The new Parish Center, built on the south side of the church, includes a large parish hall with a capacity of about 140 to 150 people. This will be an ideal size for the typical funeral dinner, and will work well for family and other social gatherings. The parish center will include a kitchenette, storage space, and restroom facilities available for the church as well as the parish center. A welcoming lobby area would attach the parish center to the church and create a nice space for social gatherings after Mass.
In addition, the parish center would house parish offices for the Pastor and parish staff, and two educational/meeting rooms greatly needed for youth faith formation programs and various other adult programs.
The original plans for the Parish Hall have changed somewhat. Instead of a courtyard area between the church and Parish Hall, the Parish Hall will now be attached to the church. Plans call for special lighting to illuminate the stained glass windows on the south side of the church.
The rectory will remain standing during construction to house parish offices, but will be demolished after the offices are moved into the new space.
“I’m extremely pleased and proud. When the capital campaign was announced people wondered if we could raise $3.5 million. People responded generously. Several that gave their initial donation came back and gave again. We had a very high percentage of our Parish members contribute, as well as community members and alumni. It’s been very uplifting,” Father Guenther said.
This fall marks the 100 year anniversary of St. Mary School.
St. Mary’s started construction on a three-story school in Humboldt in 1919 and the school opened in August of 1920. It was constructed at a cost of $50,000, using funds left to the parish by the Dennis Hessian estate. The school was first opened as a Catholic boarding school with students housed in a third floor dormitory.
In 1982, construction began on a new 17,000 square foot school (the present school). The $600,000 project took just over a year to complete with the first classes held Monday, Oct. 30, 1983, with 142 students.