Breaking Ground for the Next Chapter of Saint Michael
On the morning of Sunday, May 19, following the 9 a.m. traditional service in the Church and JOY! A Children’s service in the Chapel, Saint Michael’s entire parish gathered on the front lawn of the campus on Douglas Avenue to make history. Surrounded by a sea of people, each person sporting a yellow construction hat, the leaders of Saint Michael’s unprecedented project officially broke ground on what will be the next chapter of our great legacy. As gold-colored shovels decorated with oversized red bows dug into the dirt, cheers and excitement echoed throughout the neighborhood. This dream was finally becoming a reality.
Parishioners were also invited to make their lasting mark that will forever be part of the building. As part of this historic groundbreaking ceremony, one of the beams that will be used in this construction project was available for all to sign.
In September of 2023, Saint Michael officially launched a capital campaign, Building our Future, focused on uniting the community, reinvigorating the campus, and investing in education. Saint Michael has raised an unprecedented $61 million toward its $65 million goal. This campaign will support the decades-long overdue revitalization and expansion of church facilities while preserving the beauty of the sacred spaces and creating new areas to gather in community and build God’s kingdom.
Hundreds of parishioners have already committed to supporting this effort, chaired by Mary and Matt Waller, alongside honorary Chairs Ann and Lee Hobson and a dedicated Campaign Executive Committee.
“We are creating this space to bring people together in celebration so that we can support one another and then go out into the world and support those around us in our community.” – Mary and Matt Waller, Campaign Co-Chairs
This project includes reconfiguring Saint Michael Episcopal School and Saint Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church classrooms and constructing a new atrium, parish hall, music suite, café, indoor play area, staff offices, and community gathering spaces.
To date, construction is well underway as we finish out Phase 1, and Phase 2 will be complete in the summer of 2026.
Please visit saintmichael.org/BuildingOurFuture to learn more about the campaign.
**This article was written by Meredith Turner, Director of Communications, and was featured in the 2024 Fall Archangel.