The Diocesan Dialogue
Current Issue
January 2007

Construction Update

By Dick Snyder

Although the Project Jubilee Committee is nearing the completion of its mission, there are still several active and imminent construction projects around the Diocese of Utah, according to Stephen Hutchinson, diocesan chancellor.

Construction of the Episcopal Church Center (see photos), the new diocesan center, "appears to be on schedule," he said. This project is "very environmentally sensitive," he noted. Drilling is complete for one well which will provide geothermal heating and air conditioning. Drilling of a second well, to return the geothermal water to the same aquifer, will take place soon. The building committee for the Episcopal Church Center project, chaired by Joel Deaton, has been collaborating with the building committee from St. Mark's Cathedral to coordinate construction activities of the new Cathedral parish hall and the Center. The work at the cathedral is nearing completion and will provide a significant fellowship hall, meeting rooms, class rooms, and office space.

Recently completed was work on the new St. Peter's in Clearfield. "It was a very successful project, and completed on budget and on time." he noted. The new building was recently dedicated by Bishop Carolyn Tanner Irish.

"Through the ages, Almighty God has moved his people to build houses of prayer and praise, and to set apart places for the ministry of his holy Word and Sacraments. With gratitude for the building St. Peter's Episcopal Church, we are now gathered to dedicate and consecrate it in God's Name." With these words the bishop began the service of dedication and consecration of St. Peter's Episcopal Church in Clearfield. And with these words a year and one half of planning, praying, meeting and negotiating were brought to a conclusion.

T.S Eliot says, "In my beginning is in my end and in my end is my beginning," noted the Rev. Susan Beem Berry of St. Peter's.

"Such were the thoughts and emotions as Bishop Carolyn moved through our new church blessing the altar, the font, the lectern and our electric piano. Set in the midst of the new were the pews that had been built for our old building forty years ago. The tapestry from St. Benedict's Hospital is still in a central place in our sanctuary and a new stain glass window is designed to reflect the silhouette of the Wasatch Mountains that the parishioners in the old church had been lifting their eyes toward for many years," she noted.

The construction of the building for St. Barnabas, Tooele has been completed, and further landscaping work will be completed in the spring. The new church building was recently nominated for an architectural award.

Imminent projects, all part of Project Jubilee, include construction at St. Francis, Moab; St. David's, Page; and Good Shepherd, Ogden, and potential land acquisitions for future churches.

The project at St. Francis is "a very substantial remodel" which will enlarge the current sanctuary and also include classrooms and administrative space.

St. David's will probably continue to use some of the current sanctuary as a parish hall, but otherwise will have a new sanctuary space and support activities areas.

The project at Good Shepherd is entering specific design stage following parish meetings with the architect, and a capital campaign has started. The parish has negotiated a land swap with the city that will enable a substantial enlargement of church facilities on the newly acquired land. The existing historical chapel will continue in use, but additional worship and education space will be constructed. Hutchinson noted that the church has been working closely with the City of Ogden since the church building is "a very visible part to the entrance of the downtown of the city."

The diocese is also exploring possible acquisition of land sites for church planting in Washington County, in southwest Salt Lake County and in Heber Valley, said Hutchinson.

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