Bishop Richard G. Lennon blesses the congregation Sunday at the dedication of the new activity center at St. Raphael Church in Bay Village. Phase one of the $6 million expansion also expanded the parking lot and added a new rectory. (West Life photos by Larry Bennet)

St. Raphael Activity Center dedicated
By Jeff Gallatin
North Olmsted
Published Oct. 1, 2008

Officials and parishioners at St. Raphael were pleased to see the dedication Sunday of the new Parish Activity Center as the integral part of phase one of the $6.5-million facelift and renovation at the Dover Road church.

“We’re all pretty excited to see it come about,” said Kris McGivney, the chairwoman for the project. “There’s a lot to this with the new activity center, parking lot and the rectory offices. There’s a lot to this and we anticipate even more interest as we start to use the different facilities a lot.”

Church members noted the occasion at a 12:30 p.m. Mass led by Bishop Richard G. Lennon, which was immediately followed by the dedication ceremony, reception and tours of the new facilities.

McGivney said officials were pleased that the first phase was completed less than two years since the groundbreaking for the work on the church, with the second phase still come being the expansion of the actual church itself.

Rev. Timothy W. Gareau, the pastor at St. Raphael, said the entire project shows the commitment and faith of the parishioners.

“There’s so much more than brick and mortar,” said Gareau. “There’s faith and trust and hope and confidence in our future.”

Gareau said the expansion is designed to meet the expanding needs of parishioners and that it was supported as a commitment to ‘changing the face of St. Raphael from generation to generation,’ by all involved.

“The future has touched the present through the support and generosity of our people,” he said.

Bishop Richard G. Lennonat the dedication of the new activity center at St. Raphael Church in Bay Village. (West Life photo by Larry Bennet)

McGivney said church members anticipate extensive use of the new activity center, which can seat up to 750 people. It has a fully equipped kitchen, a full stage for performances and presentations and new basketball and volleyball courts.

“There will be a lot of people using it for a wide range of church functions,” she said.

Church officials don’t plan to rent it to other groups, she said.

In addition, there are several hundred more parking spaces now and the rectory will have housing for two priests and room could be made for a retired one as well, she said.

“It was a lot of work, bit it’s worth it,” she said.

McGivney said a specific timetable has not been set for the second phase since the fund-raising is not complete.

On the Web:

• St. Raphael Parish Web site