St. Lawrence begins parish life center expansion, renovation

Participating in the Feb. 24 groundbreaking ceremony at St. Lawrence Parish in Indianapolis are, from left, Bob Schultz, chair of the parish’s Legacy for Our Mission: For Our Children and the Future campaign; Greg Stephens, chair of the parish building committee; Father John Beitans, pastor; Emily Barnes, youth representative from St. Lawrence School; Betty Popp, principal of St. Lawrence School; Lisa Winbusch-Roach, chair of the St. Lawrence Pastoral Council; Michael Egan, chief architect from Entheos Architects; and Tim Berry of Meyer-Najem Construction. (Submitted photo)

Special to The Criterion

Prayers of thanksgiving were offered as St. Lawrence Parish in Indianapolis recently held a groundbreaking ceremony for a $1.3 million project to improve its facilities.

The project will focus on a new entry and gathering space for Father Beechem Gym and Father Conan Hall. Renovations will include an elevator, concession stand, updated athletic space, new handicap-accessible restrooms and a complete remodeling of Father Conan Hall.

Most of the funds for the project are a result of the success of the parish’s Legacy for Our Mission: For Our Children and the Future campaign.

The improvements are expected to be completed by August, parish officials said. Renovations to the church, which were interrupted by a fire on Nov. 2, 2007, are nearly complete.

The parish celebrated the groundbreaking ceremony on Feb. 24 near the east entrance of Father Beechem Gym. The project is the first stage of redevelopment and growth for St. Lawrence, which has been an important part of the Indianapolis north side since it was established in 1950.

With an enrollment of 1,200 households, the parish is vibrant and growing, parish leaders said, and committed to continuing to serve a diverse population through a variety of programs.

St. Lawrence School has been a part of that commitment since 1958. The school has been recognized twice in recent years as a Blue Ribbon School of Excellence by the U.S. Department of Education.

“The parish has had a positive effect on an area of Lawrence that has struggled to renew and develop new businesses,” said Kim Jamell, president of the St. Lawrence Parent Faculty Organization.

“Older buildings in the vicinity have been demolished and new businesses are being built in their place. The renovations are yet another positive sign that this area of Lawrence will continue to grow and develop.” †