BRUNSWICK — All Saints Parish in Brunswick will celebrate the opening of its new St. John’s Community Center and Adoration Chapel March 3, after years of planning fundraising and construction. Bishop Robert P. Deeley will preside over a blessing and dedication ceremony at the new center.
The new St. John’s Community Center and Adoration Chapel, which will be dedicated March 3. (Courtesy of Portland Diocese)
All are welcome to attend the day’s events which will begin with a Mass, celebrated by Bishop Deeley, at 11 a.m. at St. John the Baptist Church on 39 Pleasant St. Following the Mass, the community center and chapel, located across the parking lot from the church, will be blessed and dedicated as part of a program that will feature music and comments of thanks, according to the parish.
“The facility is beyond all expectations,” said Fr. Thomas Murphy, pastor of All Saints.
“I really didn’t know what to expect because it was such a big project and putting all the pieces together was a little bit out of my mind frame, but I’m blown away,” said Charleen Foley, business coordinator for All Saints Parish.
The 15,000-square-foot St. John’s Community Center will be rented out to community organizations in addition to use by the parish and St. John’s Catholic School. It features an open space that can be used as a gymnasium, auditorium and cafeteria; a stage; an adoration chapel; meeting and music rooms; locker rooms and a fully equipped kitchen. The colors of the new facility’s facade match the exterior of the St. John the Baptist Church, dedicated in 1927 and located directly across the parking lot. Adjacent to the new building is St. John’s Catholic School, which has stood since 1913. The new sidewalk outside the building includes engraved pavers that have been purchased by individuals and organizations to honor teachers, priests, family members, graduating classes and deceased loved ones.
“Together, we have built an amazing facility for our parish, our school, and our community,” said Jim Baskerville, a member of the steering committee that oversaw the project. “We extend our sincere gratitude to all who have helped us on this journey.”
The project took its first steps in 2016. The parish hall located under St. John the Baptist Church had its capacity reduced to one-third of its former rating and the town’s recreation center, utilized by the students at St. John’s Catholic School, was demolished. These developments made it clear to The Rev. Frank Murray, then-pastor of All Saints Parish, that the time to act had arrived.
“Through strategic planning, we identified the need to construct a multipurpose facility for the church and school to host a variety of activities for parish ministry, youth athletic events, school gatherings, and dinners,” said Fr. Murray. “We hired an architect and offered informational sessions explaining the project to parishioners. The idea was met with great enthusiasm in the community.”
A building design was created by Scott Simons Architects in Portland and Sitelines, PA, of Brunswick and, in 2017, Ouellet Construction in Brunswick was selected as the general contractor. Luke Ouellet, who attended St. John’s, served as the project manager for construction.
Over the course of 2018, construction progress was a hot topic around town.
“It was really awe-inspiring to see it all come together,” said Joshua Shean, a parent of two St. John’s students. “We’re laying the foundation for the future of our school.”
Hundreds of local parishioners, residents and businesses helped the campaign pass the $4 million mark in October of 2018, an anonymous donor gave $100,000, and the Knights of Columbus Council No. 1947 in Brunswick donated $100,000 to furnish the facility’s new kitchen.
“Parish unity, providing the best education for our young people, and building on our relationship with the community are all things that people can rally behind,” said Fr. Murphy.
In November, Bishop Deeley was among the first to get a tour of the nearly finished facility, remarking that the beautiful design, inside and out, preserved the parish’s proud history with an eye to the future.
At present, the capital campaign has raised over $4.1 million toward its $4.7 million goal.
“We know that we’ll make it,” said Fr. Murphy. “In 1886, they built this church out of nothing, which is a magnificent witness, and this is our time. This is our place. And we’re going to do it.”
For more information or to donate, visit allsaintsmaine.com, call (207) 725-2624 ext. 112, email charleen.foley@portlanddiocese.org or send a check to All Saints Parish, 132 McKeen St., Brunswick.
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