ST. LAWRENCE MISSION BUILDING FUND

For a long time, the people of St. Lawrence has expressed their desire for a new church building, raising funds, as well as procuring land to able to start such a project. Through their dedication, we may soon be able to make that vision a reality. Since we deeply value the ever-growing community and vibrancy of parishioners in the Wasatch Back, we are pleased to announce we are close to taking the next steps on such a project. Our exploration into building a new church in Heber is driven by the dedication and commitment of our members, and we want to ensure any decisions made are in the best interest of the community.

What are the next steps to building a new church?
Many things need to be done before St. Lawrence can receive a green-light to build a new church. We are very eager to explore the feasibility of building a new church, though specific protocols with the diocese are required first. Thankfully, some of these steps are already in progress, such as research into demographics and population projections. This is not a guarantee of approval, but there is a possibility of which we are hopeful.

Who will lead the project of a new St. Lawrence?
As pastor, Fr. Christopher Gray has been appointed by Bishop Solis to head the entire building project. Fr. Gray will appoint the building committee, make decisions, and serve as the primary point of contact with the diocese. Fr. Gray will forward discussions and notes to the diocese. The new building committee will also have various roles, such as working on a comprehensive plan that will be communicated once the necessary groundwork has been laid and preliminary studies have been conducted.

Will St. Lawrence remain a mission or become its own parish?
Even if the building project is approved, it’s important to note that St. Lawrence will remain a mission under St. Mary’s parish for the foreseeable future. This is something that is solely at discretion of the diocese.

What about the work already done?
We deeply appreciate the hard work and dedication that went into the previous drawings and planning of a new St. Lawrence Church. While these will be carefully considered in the decision-making process, we must also evaluate new bids and designs to ensure that the final selection best meets the current needs of the community, budget constraints, and land possibilities. We are also grateful to those who donated or volunteered to help renew and paint the current church, allowing parishioners to worship in a refreshed and beautified space until more work can be done. All funds raised for the building project so far have been kept untouched and will remain so until a building project is officially approved. These funds are reserved exclusively for the future of the St. Lawrence Mission.

How can I help this new building project?
We’d like to reiterate we need everyone in the St. Lawrence community to be properly registered. If your family or friends are still registered at St. Mary’s, please update your registration to reflect your true affiliation with St. Lawrence. This data is crucial to demonstrating the size and needs of our community. More over, we are ramping up community-building opportunities at St. Lawrence to enrich the life of the church in Heber. A vibrant, engaged community is one of the most compelling arguments we can make for additional resources. Your participation matters! If you’d like to help revamp the current St. Lawrence building and communal life, please reach out to Justin Hibbard via email at [email protected].

St. Lawrence’s property on Mill Road can accommodate a church a couple times the size of our current church, along with parking and other facilities we do not currently have.