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Welcome. This webpage discusses the status of capital investments of St. John Neumann (SJN) Parish. The Parish has 42 acres that are associated with the new church, the Kindergarten through 8th Grade school (SJNCS) and the temporary church office/youth house on St. John Court. The webpage highlights latest news regarding the church building construction and the evolving status of future capital investments.
Highlighted text will identify changes made in this webpage.
STATUS OF CHURCH BUILDING CONSTRUCTION AT 645 ST. JOHN COURT
The builder estimates construction is 89% complete. For the first half of April the following work was completed.
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60% of artistic painting of the dome is completed.
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Ceilings in transcepts have been primed and finished.
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The frames and insulated glass for the lower nave are installed.
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Interior door frames are being installed.
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The setting of the cast stone for the Rosary window is completed.
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Click here to view close-ups of sculptured capitals (tops of the columns) and related Bible passages.
 May 1 |
 May 1 |
Click here to view close-ups of stained glass Rosary windows and related Bible passages.
 Nave looking N, May 1 |
 Nave looking S, May 1 |
Click here to view close-up of the cast stone on the Front (South Wall) of the New Church and its symbology and related Bible passages.
 May 1 |
 May 1 |
No firm completion date is set at this time. We anticipate occupancy by late spring.
For families desiring sacramental ceremonies at the new church before July, please discuss as soon as possible your specific concerns with the Pastor.
The below table describes certain events and accomplishments regarding our new church construction. Certain text, when clicked on, will open photo essays regarding the topic.
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September 24, 2006 - Groundbreaking
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December 2006 - Utilities installed; footings poured.
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January 2007 - Poured the church floor. February 2007 - Poured the floor slabs and pedestals. We encountered a brief delay finalizing the steel plan.
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March 8, 2007 - The Town of Farragut approved our construction permit for above ground building). Steel began arriving and the steel frame was erected between April and mid-May. Photo essay 1
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Mid-May through December 2007 - The exterior walls were framed/sheathed; the roof was tiled; and the exterior stone was laid. By mid-December interior work had begun.
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July 1, 2007 - New Light Presbyterian Congregation contracted to buy 225 Jamestowne Blvd.
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Late July through October 2007 - The parking lot servicing SJNCS and the church was expanded.
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December 21, 2007 - The church office moved to 645 St John Court. The church staff occupied rooms on the main floor; youth ministries use basement/kitchen facilities of the "Youth House."
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January 1, 2008 - New Light Presbyterian Congregation occupied 225 Jamestowne Blvd. The Parish paid a nominal rent to use 225 Jamestowne Blvd for weekend Masses, and was permitted 24/7 use of the Adoration Chapel until the new church was ready to occupy. Parish organizations began using other locations. SJNCS facilities began supporting certain Parish ministries.
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Early January, 2008 -
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Interior framing of arches and Simcast stone installed on arches.
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Tower stone work completed
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Sheet rock taped and mud work started on several areas.
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Electrical roughed in work.
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HVAC duct work completed.
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Dome cupola and the tower cross set.
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January 14 the tower cross and dome cupola were set in place.
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Late January, 2008 -
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Installation of the GFRG vaults in the Nave
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Masonry on the south aisle wall
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Framing of both aisle wall arches
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50% of the transept wall masonry work and cast stone installation
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Final exterior framing on the back of the tower
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Mud and taping on the lower third of the dome
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80% of mud and taping on walls in the adoration chapel, choir loft, and storage closets
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Month of February 2008 -
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Roof completed except over the apse.
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The CFRG vault and high ceilings are done.
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The upper clear story window framing has begun.
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Permanent power is installed.
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All cast stone around the transcept windows is complete.
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Marble for the sanctuary walls and columns is en route.
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Dome interior assembly is in progress.
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Early March 2008 -
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Permanent power was turned on March 10.
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Completed all roofing.
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Completed and tested the sprinkler system.
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Completed 98% of the Apse exterior.
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Completed 90% of the taping and mudding of the sheet rock on the walls.
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Completed taping and mudding the dome. Also the dome is primed.
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Started installing the marble columns.
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Started installing the marble walls in the sanctuary.
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Started installing the elevator.
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Late March 2008 -
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Artistic painting started 31 March and the dome is expected to be
60% complete by mid-April
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Installation of the elevator is 90% complete
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Weather delayed stone work progress on the front of the church;
it has been restarted and is expected to be completed by mid-April
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Completed the apse exterior
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Installed the upper tier of stained glass windows (see pictures)
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Dedication Date - to be announced.
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WHAT "IS" THE NEW CHURCH?
 Rendering |
 Cross section rendering |
The new church can seat over 900. It gives the Parish much room to accommodate the growing number of Catholics in our community, both in seating and in parking. Our old church could seat 730. The metal and stone structure was planned and built to stand well into the next century. Energy-efficient, low maintenance technologies are a blessing. And the churches distinctive design links our faith community to the two millennium of believers that came before us.
New Church Floor Plans
When the doors open for the first time we will find the church mirrors ourselves, a creation in progress. We will have pews for 450, and funds to complete 39 of the 41 stained-glass windows in the church. The dome, dome ring, pendentives, and apse will have been painted to artistically represent the richness of our faith. What we won't have is (1) permanent seating for the other 450, (2) a sound system and organ suited to the size of our church, and (3) the last two stained-glass windows. What this means in the near term is some of us will be seated on folding chairs.
WHO IS INVOLVED IN NEW CHURCH BUILDING DECISIONS?
Parishioners have had opportunities to contribute to the decision making. The committees and their members that have formally contributed to these decisions are listed below.
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Needs Assessment Committee
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Building
Committee
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Dedication
Committee
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Parish Pastoral
Council
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Tom Viotti, chair
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Pat O'Brien, chair
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Rich Cataldi
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Click here for
member information
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Dottie Morris
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Randy Inklebarger
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Dave Campbell
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Harry Schukman
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Robert Baugh
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Doug Varga
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Anita Gouge
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Jim Seneker
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Trisha Varga
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Bill Wicke
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Jamie Lisson
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Jim McNeece
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Susan Denning
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Jerry Lubert
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Lynda Zitka
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Pam Dietz
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Nick Myers
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Don Owens
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Anastasia Juneau
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Dave Campbell
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Sheila Owens
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Gina Inklebarger
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Rich Cataldi
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Mary Lewis
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Hans Vanderveldt
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Rich Cataldi
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The NEEDS ASSESSMENT COMMITTEE followed Diocesan Guidelines to review the needs of parishioners through a survey that produced a list of requirements, including the style and size of the new church building.
The BUILDING COMMITTEE followed Diocesan Guidelines in selecting and negotiating the contracts with the builder and the architect for the new church building. Members continue to work with the Parish Finance Committee to oversee the on-going work at the site. Bob Byrne is the work site representative for the Parish.
The DEDICATION COMMITTEE is following Diocesan Guidelines in arranging the dedication of the new church building and the altar.
The PARISH PASTORAL COUNCIL (PPC) advised the Pastor regarding capital plans and strategic vision for the Parish. As the Parish formulates plans on how to best use the new church building, the council will serve as a conduit between the Parish and the Pastor. Listed below are current matters of importance.
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When we begin using the new church, its size will allow us to serve more parishioners at one time, so the need for 5 Masses (Saturday eve, 3 Sunday morn, and Sunday eve) on weekends is under review. Reducing the number of Masses and thus filling the church will grow community. Feedback is welcomed...contact the PPC.
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STATUS OF CAPITAL INVESTMENTS
The status of capital investment at St. John Neumann is affected by the status of capital pledged by parishioners, construction delays, and Diocesan approval to proceed with further needs of the Parish. An analysis of our capital investment campaign was completed at the end of January and reflects the status of the GiFT Campaign at the close of calendar year 2007. Click on the below icon to view the report. See other information regarding parish capital investments at the end of this webpage.
 Status of GiFT
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Status of
pledges
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We have over 1000 parishioners/families in this Parish. 432 made pledges that they promised to fulfill by 30 June 2008. 123 have paid in full. Many are on schedule. Several are behind in their pledge. The delinquent pledges created a funding shortfall that concerned the Diocesan Finance Office, because the pledges served as a basis for determining the size of the Diocesan loan. The shortfall must be made up by the Parish.
The new church building is a physical symbol of our faith in Farragut. Please support our faith.
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Construction
delay
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The construction contract agreement set February 1, 2008, as the end date for work. Beyond February 1, labor is paid on a weekly rate. The rate is paid by the Parish if the delay is not caused by the builder. Delays are common in construction projects. Key factors are interchanges between the builder and the architect, deliveries of materials, and weather.
Church Building Construction Schedule
We have contingency funds for delays and change orders. These funds were included in the total construction cost published in the pastoral letter of December 10, 2007.
May the Holy Spirit create opportunities that speed work completion.
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Diocesan
approval
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The status of our pledges and construction costs impact capital investment decisions beyond the church building. All capital investment decisions must be approved by the Diocese. Diocesan approval of parish building plans has been rescinded and future approval requires a clear understanding of parish funding of existing obligations as well as other requirements.
Parishioners are asked to pray and do what they can to reduce the burden on the Parish.
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CAPITAL INVESTMENT PLANS
Capital investments require the Parish to have building plans approved by the Diocese. Our plans were reviewed, but not approved by the Diocese. In general, the Diocese wants buildings that will serve a larger active Parish. Furthermore, the Diocese requested a Master Plan for our property so that our facilities are designed to work well in unison to serve Parish needs.
These facilities include the church office, the rectory, and the Parish Life Center (previously identified as an administrative hall). So, what does this mean in the short-term?
We can expect that the new church, the school, and the temporary church office/youth house arrangement will be our physical plant until (1) the Diocese and the City of Farragut approves our plans, and (2) we have proven to the Diocese that we can take on the expense of additional building projects. In other words, paying off the additional debt from GiFT pledges that were not honored and building sufficient reserves or new pledges.
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