Expansion and remodeling project announced at St. Mary's

St. Mary’s Parish and School in Humboldt has announced an expansion and remodeling project.
Father Dan Guenther said they have launched “Ignite the Faith: A Campaign for St. Mary’s Parish and School.” The capital campaign goal is to raise $3.5 million. Launched in December, the Ignite the Faith Capital Campaign already has $1.3 million committed to the project.
“As St. Mary’s Parish and School grows and evolves, there is a need for updated space and additional space. More than 35 years ago was the last capital campaign for St. Mary’s when funds were raised for the current school. The time is right and the time is now for St. Mary’s to invest in our facilities and our parish and school families,” Father Guenther said.
The capital campaign will include a renovation of the school including a new visible main entrance to St. Mary School on the southeast part of the grounds. Additional instructional space will be added so that all of the classrooms are under one roof. A new parish center 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 used for parish offices and meeting space. The convent building is used by the school for the library and music class.
St. Mary School has an enrollment of 180 students in pre-kindergarten through sixth grade and 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, school 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 are working on this project and have already made significant gifts to the campaign,” Father Guenther said.
Each classroom will have a complete renovation. The south restrooms will be renovated and expanded for school and parish events.
The parish has more and more youth and adult faith formation programs happening but not the necessary space. Both the former rectory and convent have 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 100 people. This would be an ideal size for the typical funeral dinner, and would work well for family and other social gatherings. The parish center would 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 100-year anniversary of St. Mary’s School is fast approaching.
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. Father Mervin Hood was school superintendent and Sister Dianne (Sister Mary Dianne Michaels) was Principal.
Members of the building committee included Father Hood, Joe Ennis, George Barr, Vince Kuhn, Mark Brandsgard, Robert Molitor, Dr. M.L. Northup, Larry Childress, David Havlik, Eunice Fraser, Pat Becker and Pat Albrecht. Members of the St. Mary’s School Board at that time were: Darrell Rusher, President; Dr. Steve Gidel, Donna Clarken, Dianne Anderson, Dorothy Bickel and Al Becker.
Today’s campaign cabinet members include: Jeff and Karen Berte, Bret and Deb Harklau, Dale and Peg Heider, Mike and Tonya Heier, Father Dan Guenther, and today’s school board members include Brennan Vaverek, Jaclyn Olson, Dan O'Hern, Dr. Cody Olson, Jill Rhead, Stacy Wempen, Principal Cindy Edge and Father Dan Guenther.
For information on how to help support the capital campaign, people can contact Development Director Stephanie Larscheid at (515) 332-2856 or by email at slarscheid@stmaryhumboldt.org.