Renovation

Questions & Answers About The Epiphany Renovation & Building Project

A Conversation with Monsignor Dubois

Why? What is the reason for this renovation and building project?

First of all, I’d like to briefly recall the history of Epiphany as a parish church and how this parish has undergone several renovation projects in response to growing needs.

Many may already know that Epiphany Cathedral was originally constructed as chapel for the Venice Army Airfield, so that the parish, as such, did not become a reality until 1955, when the Army chapel became Epiphany Parish Church. This was back in the days when the entire Diocese of Venice was part of the ecclesiastical territory of the Diocese of St Augustine. Now, taking over an army chapel and turning it into a parish church would not have been a problem, except for the fact that very soon, as the number of parishioners began to grow, the old army church became too small for the parish’s needs. Therefore, only four years later, ground was broken for a new church, which was completed in 1960, while in turn, the former army church became the parish hall.

Despite this new construction, almost two decades later, the Epiphany parish community had grown so much that, once again, the needs of the parish exceeded what the old 1960 church could provide. It was thus decided that the parish hall -which had originally served as the army chapel - would need to be pulled down to make way for a new church and the 1960 church would become the new parish hall. Works for this new church began in 1979 and finished in 1980.

However, not long after its completion, Epiphany Parish Church was to become in June of 1984 the Cathedral of the newly established Diocese of Venice in Florida. As the population in Southwest Florida grew, The Diocese of Venice in Florida was established by St. John Paul II in 1984 from parts of the Archdiocese of Miami, the Diocese of Orlando, and the Diocese of St. Petersburg.  Bishop John J. Nevins was the founding Bishop.

Suddenly a Diocesan Cathedral, Epiphany’s 1980 parish church had to undergo immediate, but more cosmetic renovations, to be retrofitted to become, as much as possible at the time, the temporary place of worship that would house all major Diocesan celebrations. It was always intended that these immediate renovations be temporary, and that sometime in the future a more major, permanent renovation/rebuild would take place, transforming the normal parish church into a proper Diocesan Cathedral.

Today, several factors have contributed to the idea that now is the time to transform Epiphany as a renovated construction directly intended as a Cathedral building.

The first, is, of course, the fact that the parish of Epiphany has continued to expand and grow beyond expectations in 1980. This means that any renovation requires taking on board the exponential growth of the parish population.

Furthermore, the needs the faithful have developed over the past decades, and to this we add, the needs of the actual Diocese too, to the extent that the present church building has increasingly become and continues to be a place where many ecclesial and Diocesan events take place, and which back when the parish church was built, and the Diocese of Venice did not even exist, would simply never have been conceived.

These immediate and continuing needs call for a well-planned structural layout that adapts to the various celebrations and occasions that are currently being housed by the present church building, and where we currently are met with multiple constraints and difficulties, such as, for example, the limited space in the sanctuary for large Diocesan celebrations, and even the restricted seating arrangements for the faithful at large, especially in several of the most important liturgical celebrations which the Cathedral is called to house.

And finally, while the idea of transforming the parish church into a purposely built Cathedral has been deeply ingrained for several decades in the collective vision of many, the project of transforming the Cathedral was continually deferred to when it would become evident that the 1980 building would need a thorough renovation. And so it was that in 2021, discussions regarding the renovation of our church began to take place due to pressing building needs that had become increasingly apparent, and which could no longer be put on hold without detriment to proper administration and overall safety of the building.

The condition of our current church building calls for immediate attention to address issues of safety, of sustainability, of functionality, of creating an enhanced liturgical and spiritual environment capable of serving the needs of our congregation, of our parish community and of the Diocese at large, for today and for future generations to come.

How much will it cost?

Exact cost is yet to be determined, and will involve careful consideration of various factors, including price variation in materials and labor, and also the possibility of unforeseen circumstances that may arise during the construction process. However, estimated costs were initially projected at $20 million several years ago, and are now estimated in 2024 to be between $25 - $30 million, as we bear in mind the impact of inflation and the substantial increases in price of construction and building materials over the last few years.

It's important to note that our priority is to manage our resources responsibly, ensuring that every dollar invested in this renovation is utilized efficiently and effectively. Transparency will also remain a priority throughout this process, and we will continue to provide updates regarding the project’s costs as plans are finalized.

Support for this project is important to us, as together we will seek to realize the vision for our Cathedral’s renovation, with our hearts set on creating a space that reflects the beauty, reverence, and significance of our faith community.

Who’s going to pay for it?

I am pleased to inform you that the Diocese of Venice has generously committed to covering 50% of the total cost. More good news is that, as the Cathedral is called upon to house all major Diocesan liturgical celebrations as the Mother Church of the Diocese, the parishes around the Diocese will contribute an additional 25% of the total cost. By so doing, the collaborative effort at hand will become an authentic demonstration of the unity and support that our Cathedral receives from the wider faith community and institutions.

Finally, the remaining 25% of the total cost will be the responsibility of Epiphany Cathedral. While this is a significant financial commitment, our faithful have always given witness by their generosity to their unstinting support of the Church’s mission, making sure that our parish has what is necessary for the works of the apostolate, of charity and for the celebration of divine worship. Together with the support we will receive from the Diocese and our neighboring parishes, we remain confident that our parish will assist, not just financially, but also with their time and talents, as they have always done, becoming once again the Heart and Hands of Christ. Indeed, this shared responsibility among all reflects our collective dedication as a parish and Diocese to preserving and enhancing our sacred space for generations to come. We have always been, and continue to be, grateful of your support.

How long will this take?

Where will we have Mass during the renovation?

While we are excited about the prospect of enhancing our sacred space, we understand that this process will impact our regular activities for some time, and particularly our liturgical services.

The renovation period is expected to last approximately one and a half to two years. This means that we will have to temporarily relocate our liturgical services and worship to the Parish Center during this time. This decision has been made after careful consideration to ensure that we can continue to gather as a community for worship, while our church building undergoes its necessary transformation and construction.

Naturally, the Parish Center will need to be prepared to accommodate our liturgical needs to the best of our abilities. But while we understand that this space may not fully replicate the atmosphere of our church, we remain fully committed to maintaining the sanctity and reverence of our services.

Indeed, one of the most significant and formative experiences in the life of any parish community is the process of building or renovating its own church. This means that, as parishioners have been called upon to take part in the renovation project through their thoughts, contributions, and input, they are also being granted the opportunity to grow and form part of an increased collective awareness for the Church’s teaching and her liturgical theology regarding her places of worship.

For this reason, despite the temporary measures that will need to be in place for the celebration of the sacraments and of prayer, we are certain that all the faithful of our parish will find, through their participation in the renovation project, a source of true inspiration for their personal piety, for their devotion and for their love for sacred spaces.

Moreover, aware that soon we will be able to worship God in an even more dignified and beautiful architectural space that will reflect more distinctly the reality of the Cathedral as the house of God (the domus Dei) and a house fit for worshiping believers (the domus ecclesiae), our parishioners will certainly be looking forward to the new church building as reflective of who they are as a community, as well as being uniquely expressive of their own love for the Real Presence of God and the celebration of the Sacrifice of Christ.

Are we going to be gaining seating capacity in the Cathedral? 

What about parking?

I am pleased to announce that we anticipate gaining approximately 300 additional seats in the Cathedral overall. We believe that the renovation, which – along with many other improvements -- calls for a permanent wall rather than a divider between the chapel and the main church, will significantly improve the overall experience for our congregation, providing a more spacious and unified environment while preserving the unique atmosphere of the Chapel.

Regarding parking, when the project is completed, while there will be additional ADA parking spaces, overall, there will be a slight loss in the total number of parking spaces, as the current parking spaces must be brought up to code, necessitating their widening. 

Please note that during the renovation period, we have arranged to provide ample parking spaces for all parishioners, including visitors attending our liturgical services at the Parish Center.

In addition to our regular parking areas, we will make use of the bus lot that is located on Harbor Boulevard, which is conveniently located right across from the Parish Center. This bus lot offers plenty of parking spaces and will be available for use throughout the renovation period. We remain fully committed to providing a hassle-free experience for everyone during this time.

What about the Memorial Garden?  Will it be moved?

After careful consideration and consultation with our community, we have decided that the Memorial Garden will not be moved. Instead, it will be enhanced as part of the Cathedral renovation project.

We understand the significance of the Memorial Garden as a place of remembrance and reflection for our parishioners. Our decision to enhance it ensures that it continues to serve as a sacred space for honoring our loved ones.

Note: Every effort will be made to allow access to the Memorial Garden during the renovation period.  Although this may not always be possible, we will do what we can to ensure that when safe, access will be allowed.

What about the stained-glass windows?  Will they be removed?

As part of our ongoing efforts to enhance safety and aesthetics, the current stained-glass windows, which are supported by cement and not hurricane-proofed, will be replaced. However, I want to assure you that the names of the donors or the memory of the donors associated with these windows will remain unchanged.

The new stained-glass windows will not only honor the generosity of our donors but will also offer significant improvements. New, hurricane-proofed stained-glass windows will eliminate the need to cover the windows during hurricane season. Additionally, these windows will allow more natural light to illuminate our Cathedral, creating a brighter and more inviting atmosphere.

We believe that these updates will not only preserve the legacy of our donors but also ensure the safety and beauty of our Cathedral for generations to come.

Why are we adding a bell tower? Is this really necessary?

A church’s bell tower, reaching up to the heavens and singing out a clarion call to the community, serves three main purposes.

First, a tall bell tower gives greater glory to God, enhancing in every way its place of worship with its nod to Church tradition, its gravitas, its elegance, and its purpose. It is the most striking characteristic external feature of churches, and signals to all that here is a safe a sacred Christian space. It is one of the oldest features of church architecture.

Secondly, church bells have been, for centuries, a call to prayer, or an indication of a significant moment in the Church. Many will remember the Angelus, and perhaps even may remember a time from their youth when a church’s bells would ring faithfully at 6 a.m., noon, and 6 p.m., a call to all to bow their heads in prayer. Further, the joyous sounds of bells are very uplifting for the faithful, reminding all within earshot that the church is celebrating an important and major event, such as Christmas, Easter, or the Immaculate Conception, for example. The sound of bells resonates deeply with believers, evoking feelings of reverence, awe, and transcendence. Adding a bell tower creates a sacred space where Catholics can experience a profound connection to God and the Church, fostering personal prayer and contemplation.

Finally, in this case, it differentiates us even further as a Diocesan Cathedral, rather than a simple parish church, allowing us to mark with the sound of real bells – rather than the current electronic sound -- not only some of the most sacred celebrations in the parish, such as weddings, but also those of the Diocese, such as a priest’s ordination, or the annual Chrism Mass, where the Bishop blesses the oils that all priests in the Diocese will use in conferring sacraments throughout the next liturgical year.  It is a signal to all that Epiphany Cathedral is the Mother Church of Southwest Florida, and that our Catholic Faith here is alive and well!

In Sacred Tradition bells have been integral to Catholic worship for centuries, symbolizing calls to prayer, marking significant moments in liturgical life, and connecting the faithful to their spiritual heritage. Adding a bell tower continues this sacred tradition, deepening the spiritual experience for worshippers today, and for future generations.

Why is the roof being raised?

This decision has been made with careful consideration and the consultation of architectural experts to enhance the functionality and aesthetic appeal of our sacred space.

The primary reason for raising the roof is to accommodate the extension of the front of the church, which will create a proper Narthex and Baptismal area.

This expansion is essential for improving the flow of foot traffic, providing more space for the parishioners to gather before and after services, and enhancing the overall accessibility and welcoming atmosphere of our church.

Additionally, raising the roof will allow for the introduction of additional natural light into the interior space. This will not only brighten up our sanctuary but also create a more uplifting and spiritually enriching environment for worship and fellowship.

Why don’t we give this money to the poor instead of renovation?

This question is of great importance and deserves a thorough reply.  However, the short answer is simply this: This is not an “either/or” situation.  A renovation for Epiphany Cathedral does not, and will not, preclude us from continuing our work to fulfill one of the most important tenets of our Catholic Faith, caring for the poor.

Further, as discussed previously, in our discussion of the “why and why now” of this project, it has been determined that:

1. Epiphany’s building and structure needs a major renovation.

2. The congregation has grown significantly since the last expansion.

3. The needs of our contemporary parish life have changed.

4. Epiphany was never built as a Diocesan Cathedral.

Additionally, it should be mentioned that because the current building and its structural needs, required for safety and building integrity, involve already very high maintenance costs, which of themselves are only projected to increase dramatically, it would be far more economical and sustainable if we proceed with a more thorough renovation of the present aging structure rather than continuing to “patch” things as we go.

So, as you may appreciate, the question of embarking on the renovation of Epiphany Cathedral is not because it is not needed, but quite the opposite – the need is great.

The need is also great, of course, and absolutely, to help the poor, and it is one of the tenets of our Catholic faith to do so. This is the very heart and soul of the Church! We cannot, and will not, forsake this responsibility in order to fulfill our need for a renovated church, and a new Cathedral. We will continue to raise resources, both human and financial, to reach out, as we always have done, to those in need and to carry out corporal and spiritual works of mercy to their benefit and dignity.

Our commitment to help the poor is paramount, but this commitment cannot remove other, equally important, obligations for the Church! Such as the obligation to proclaim the Gospel, sanctify her people with her sacraments and divine worship, and invite people to join in her mission! 

The faithful of Epiphany Cathedral must be able to rely on a building where they can gather in safety, with renewed vigor, according to their needs, and be inspired by the beauty of sacred space as the House of God.

We are grateful for your support of Epiphany Cathedral in all its endeavors and hope you will not only see the need for this renovation and building project but will join us with great enthusiasm and joy as we march forward, bringing Epiphany Cathedral into the present, and indeed, the future, ensuring its rightful place in the community as a sacred Catholic landmark and dignified place of worship for generations to come.