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Welcome. 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, providing photos of what is inside and outside the church, and the evolving status of future capital investments. Highlighted text identifies the latest updates.
 August 4, 2008 - view from the choir loft |
 August 4, 2008 - view from the altar |
 August 4, 2008 - the dome, transcept, and apse in view |
Click on the below items for close-up views of our church art and architectural features.
WHAT "IS" THE NEW CHURCH?
Our church mirrors our Catholic architectural heritage. Click here to learn more.
 July 29, 2008 |
 July 29, 2008 |
 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. This information will be updated this month. 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.
STATUS OF CHURCH BUILDING CONSTRUCTION AT 645 ST. JOHN COURT
We anticipate occupancy by late summer...SEPTEMBER.
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
This section will be updated this month. As anyone can see by the pictures. This has been a great faith-based undertaking. The journey to pay for it and what will be the infrastructure of St. John Neumann Parish has only begun.
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.
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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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Religious Education 
