The Church of St. Peter in Quincy celebrated the start of the parish’s facilities upgrade program May 10. Shown here with their commemorative hard hats are (front row) Kyle Grawe and Zachary Haley; and (back row) Father Dan Bergbower, Rita Grawe and Paul Grawe.

QUINCY - Rain couldn't hamper the spirit of camaraderie and the joy of building as hundreds of parishioners at the Church of St. Peter came together May 10 to celebrate Mass and a blessing marking the start of the parish's $3.2 million facilities upgrade project. In his homily, Father Dan Bergbower, pastor, noted that Pentecost was a most appropriate time to celebrate the beginning of construction: "The Holy Spirit is working powerfully in this parish," he said.

Following Mass, parishioners donned commemorative hard hats and lined up for an indoor picnic. A hearty handful braved the elements to turn the first shovelfuls of ground, which Father Bergbower sprinkled with holy water that intermingled with the driving rains.

The upgrade project at St. Peter's will make parish facilities wheelchair accessible; modernize the church with the addition of a narthex, relocated eucharistic adoration chapel, new family chapel and music area, and designated space for Children's Liturgy of the Word; provide space for funeral dinners and religious education; and improve school safety and security with a classroom addition to the main school.

The St. Peter facilities project began in early 2006 when 25 parish volunteers and staff began a master planning process. The group began by considering desired ministries and parish demographics and then defining facilities changes that would be needed for the future.