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THE DREAM is realized
From
the beginning the parish retained a vision of a permanent church. This dream of a new parish church began to take shape in the spring of
1980 as the parish appeal, known as OPUS DEI - the work of God, began. The
announcement of this monumental project was made to the parish family on April
20 in a special homily.
Father Sean O'Shea, pastor of Holy Cross
at that time, formed committees to raise funds and draw up plans for the permanent church. Thirty
committee members, directed by Father O'Shea, met weekly for seven weeks. In
addition, approximately 70 parish volunteers made personal visits to each
family in order to insure total participation. A final eighth meeting, called
Impact Day, concluded the mass canvassing made of parish families. Funds of
$1.8 million were raised, and the parish dream began to materialize as the
ground breaking for the new Church building took place on November 1, 1981.
This ceremony officially began the construction phase of the new structure.
Construction
of the new building at the 27th and Plum site actually began in November. Jost & Weins
Construction Co. was selected as general contractor. The architectural firm
for the building project was Miller-Dronberger-Arbuckle-Walker and McLain.
Parishioners
witnessed the progress of the construction weekly as they attended Mass. The
placement of the steeple on the 100-foot bell tower and the completion of the
Rose Window over the choir loft were chronicled in the local newspaper.
It
was in the spring of 1983 that the parish dream finally seemed a reality. On
April 24, parishioners shared in the ceremony in which the cornerstone of the
church was laid. Twenty-five items were included in the copper box which was
set in place behind the cornerstone.
In
an editorial in the October 16 issue of "The Hutchinson News," the
church was lauded as "a magnificent addition to the community. .. "
The writer saw the scope of the project and its "sterling results" as
a source of great pride for Holy Cross parishioners and citizens of Hutchinson.
Indeed,
parishioners had reason for pride in the new facility. They had pledged $1.75
million for the church and, in October, it became the fourth church in the Wichita
diocese to become both dedicated and consecrated.
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