St. John The Evangelist Begins With New $4 Million Capital Campaign To Renovate Facility

CARROLLTON - St. John the Evangelist in Carrollton has announced a two-phase $4 million project to renovate the school.

Carrollton Principal Julie Lake said the school is preparing for the next 150 years of education with the project.

"For almost 150 years, St. John the Evangelist School has provided a school where education, service, and faith combine to provide each student with a foundation of high standards in knowledge and ethics," she said. "St. John’s was established as an elementary school in 1877 and was originally staffed by the Dominican Sisters. Today, as a Catholic elementary and middle school, the teaching philosophy at St. John’s is guided by the belief that each student is a unique gift of God, created with special gifts and talents. It is our goal to nurture and develop those gifts to the benefit of the Church and the community."

The renderings are still preliminary designs but give a simulated image of what the finished St. John's project could be. As of today, St. John's has collected $564,805 for the $4 million project.

"This represents cash in hand, not pledged amounts," Lake said. "As a reminder, we have to reach $1.16 million in order to receive permission from the Diocese to proceed with our project. The Diocese's next meeting is September 28. If we do not have half of the funds in cash prior to the Diocese meeting, our project will be delayed. If you are able to give to this project prior to September 28, we would greatly appreciate it. Please share with your family and friends. The more we spread the word about our project and needs, the more successful we will be. Thank you for all your donations, support, and prayers. Without you all, this would not be possible."

The school committee for the project has proposed addressing the facility's needs in two phases.

While there are many needs, the most pressing is to provide a safe and accessible location for school meals and other functions. Currently, students must go outside, across the parking lot, and downstairs into the basement of another building where meals are served. While the staff has made this work for years, the parish is committed to a building project to provide modern, safe, and accessible facilities for serving the staff and students. This facility can also be used as a multipurpose room for other school and parish events. This first phase of the project is projected to cost $2.3 million. Expanding and updating the facilities is projected to cost approximately $4 million.

Almost 60 years ago (1967), a new eight-room grade school and gymnasium were erected south of the present church. At the time it was built, the facility was considered one of the most modern in the area. Since its construction, the school has served the parish, staff, students and communities across Greene County with over 800 students graduating. The school has been fully utilized through the years and, in recent years, enrollment in many of the classes is capped due to space and facility constraints that can’t provide for the demand.

"The time has come to invest in renewal and expansion of the St. John’s School facilities to serve the parish staff and the students for the future," Lake said. "A parish committee has worked with the diocese and architects to define a project to expand and modernize the school. They have engaged the staff, students, and the parish to understand and define the facility's needs for the future. For almost 150 years, St. John the Evangelist School has served multiple generations of children from the same families as well as numerous children and families from the parish and the communities of Greene County.

"St. John’s is staffed by dedicated teachers and administrators who have devoted their lives to the formation of our young people. The Catholic school system is a central pillar of the parish faith community and brings much vitality, purpose, and clarity of mission. St. John’s is seeking financial support for these facility projects from the parish, community, and organizations that support parochial schools. Broad commitment to this facility campaign will provide future generations the opportunity for a quality education formed in faith. This campaign will provide the modern facilities required to ensure a safe and supportive environment for learning and development at St. John’s."

Anyone who wants to offer financial support can donate at the school's website here, or by emailing Ashley Varble at avarble@st.johnscarrollton.org.

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