St. Vincent Ferrer Parish is in the process of a fundraising campaign to help pay for a new multipurpose hall to be used by the River Forest-based church and school.
The parish is close to raising the $2.1 million needed to pay for the building, with $1.4 million in donations and pledges already made. The one-story building would connect to the west side of the church and the north side of the school’s parish center. The building would go as far west as the sidewalk at Lathrop Avenue and almost to the south edge of what’s currently a parking lot just north of the parish center.
The Rev. Thomas McDermott, pastor of St. Vincent Ferrer, said the idea of a new multipurpose hall came out of a need for more space.
“I noticed three years ago that we didn’t have meeting space,” he said. “The parish is growing, young couples and families are coming to the parish. We need to have a forum where they can come and know themselves outside of the church.”
In conjunction with the cost to construct the building, the parish is asking for an additional $450,000 in donations, part of an effort by the Archdiocese of Chicago to solicit cash to fund scholarships for needy children.
“The fundraising is getting off to a very good start,” he said.
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McDermott hopes to get all the necessary money within a year and-a-half and begin construction at that time. Once built, the new building will be named “Fr. Michael Kyte Hall,” after a former parish priest who recently died and who was well-respected by members of the parish.
Once up and running, the multipurpose hall could be sectioned off for separate meetings and will be used as a school lunchroom during the week. It would be able to hold up to 450 people without tables and 360 with tables.
Parishioners, students and staff will be able to access the building from the church and the school without going outside.
McDermott said the new space could be provide space for community organizations as well.
“It’s an expansion and extension of the parish’s mission and to a certain extent would be open for community functions,” he said.
To make a donation or for more information on the parish’s fundraising drive, call 708-366-7090 or visit the St. Vincent Ferrer Parish office at 1530 Jackson Ave. in River Forest.