February 10, 2025
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Saint Mary Catholic Church in Plano breaks ground on building addition

Gymnasium/fellowship hall, kitchen and parish offices now under construction on North Center Street campus

By Kendall County Now staff report

Rendering of new building addition. (provided)

Saint Mary Roman Catholic Parish in Plano recently held a groundbreaking to mark the start of work on a new addition on their campus at 901 North Center Street that will include a gymnasium/fellowship hall, kitchen and parish offices.

The parish has been actively building reserves for several years to develop the new addition. Currently the church building stands alone with little meeting space for the growing parish family. Meanwhile, even throughout the pandemic of 2020 – 2021, the parish has seen growing numbers of parishioners and visitors to their online, in-person, and parking lot Masses.

After several years and with an incredible show of support, the parish was finally able to reach their building fund goal and start development of the addition, according to information provided by the parish.

The new complex will feature the ”Ken & Carol Nagel Family Fellowship Hall,” which will be a regulation-size gymnasium/fellowship hall that will accommodate the needs of both the parish and school serving as a gathering space for receptions and school functions; The Don Hamman Family Kitchen, a fully outfitted commercial kitchen to be available for preparing parish functions; and The Maurice Worland Memorial Room.

“This gathering space will serve the needs of the school children in helping them in building their bodies as well as their souls, and the commercial kitchen adjacent to the fellowship hall offers us opportunities to rent out the space for special events,” said Rick Hanna finance committee chairman.

Pictured from left are Deacon Eduardo Murrillo, Principal Joe Scarpino, parishioner Barby Thrall, architect Jacob Breen, Lite Construction owner Jim Campbell, Building Committee member Don Haag, Pastor Andy Davy, donor Carol Hamman, donor Ken Nagel, Building Committee member Rick Hanna, parishioner Jeannie Shatters, and Lite Construction representatives Tim Campbell and John Campbell. (provided)

At the groundbreaking held on Thursday July 8, Pastor Andy Davy thanked all who supported the project, including the key benefactors, Ken Nagel, Carol Nagel, Don Hamman, Carol Hamman and Maurice Worland.

Ken Nagel spoke to the assembled parishioners about the importance of this historic project and then a blessing of the ground was done before benefactors took to shoveling.

Father Andy Davy and Father Diego Maximino asked the children in attendance if they would come up and be part of the groundbreaking and three-year-old Gianna Hinckle walked right up to grab a shovel.

The project is set for completion by spring 2022, without any unforeseen delays in availability of building supplies, according to Rick Hanna, Finance Committee Chairman. For more details or for information about parish events, faith formation, or St. Mary’s School, call 630-552-3448, or visit online at saintmaryplano.com.