FORT SMITH — Immaculate Conception Church, the oldest and largest parish in Fort Smith, kicked off a campaign Oct. 27 to restore its campus.
The parish wants to raise $2.5 million in the next three years to renovate several buildings to use the space more efficiently.
Its oldest building, St. Anne’s, was built in 1875 by the Sisters of Mercy after the original school was destroyed in a fire. It was used as a boarding school, a day school and a convent until it was converted for parish use in 2001. Although the foundation and exterior walls are in excellent condition, only the first and second floors are currently useable and the entire building is in need of extensive repair, updating plumbing, electrical, heating and air conditioning systems, adding sprinkler alarm and security systems; making all rooms handicapped accessible,expanding the elevator, waterproofing and exterior maintenance.
The building and its chapel are frequently used for Mass, prayer services, tutoring programs, social events and meetings.
Its newest addition is the former Abilities Unlimited building on Garrison Avenue.
“Almost two years ago, an anonymous donor offered to give I.C. the old Abilities Unlimited building,” pastor Father Greg Luyet said. “After consultation with the finance and parish councils, we decided to make that building our youth ministries building.”
It will be gutted on the inside and rebuilt with a large social space, an auditorium with stage to accommodate 200 people, a kitchen, chapel and youth director’s office.
The school and preschool are slated to receive roof and playground repairs. The elementary school will receive a new heating system and lighting.
The church, built in 1899 and located in the historic district, will receive new clear and vented coverings over its stained glass windows, parking lot and ramp improvements and cement work.
The parish center will receive some repairs and the gymnasium will receive an air conditioning system and a noise-reducing ceiling.
The gymnasium was the site of the “Restoring to Glory” kickoff Oct. 27 with a full house of committee members and parishioners. Chairmen Travis and Tiffany Beshears of the Advance Gifts Committee and Gene and Ruth Bruick of the Community Gifts Committee showed a DVD presentation illustrating each building’s needs and planned improvements and talking about the campaign goal, including a “miracle goal” of $3.5 million.
Kenneth and Sharon Siebenmorgen, chairmen of the Creative Giving Committee, held a seminar Oct. 28 to advise parishioners how they could increase the value of their donation and maximize tax advantages through donations of stocks, insurance and other property and how they could use trusts and life-income plans as part of their gifts.
Commitment Weekend will be held Dec. 7-8 when parishioners will be asked to make a multi-year pledge with a 10-percent initial payment. Celebration Weekend is scheduled for Jan. 11-12.
As parishioners enjoyed a home-cooked meal featuring Italian, Mexican and Vietnamese specialties, they looked forward to the challenges ahead and expressed their willingness to help their church succeed.
“We have lived here 22 years and like to be active in the parish,” Luis Gallo said. “My wife Nancy, who works for the Fort Smith Schools, helped get the afterschool tutoring program in St. Anne’s Building started.”
Father Luyet moved easily from English to Spanish as he addressed the parishioners, thanking them for volunteering, their financial support and their prayers for the success of the project.
“When a person drives over the Garrison Avenue bridge from Oklahoma into Arkansas, Immaculate Conception Church is the first sight one sees,” Father Luyet said. “For over 100 years, our parish has stood as a lighthouse of faith to all who crossed the Arkansas River into Fort Smith.”
