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Valrico's St. Stephen to break ground on new church

 
A rendition of the new family life center at St. Stephen Catholic Church.
A rendition of the new family life center at St. Stephen Catholic Church.
Published Dec. 25, 2014

VALRICO — When St. Stephen Catholic Church opened in Valrico almost 30 years ago, the congregation met in a temporary building on Bell Shoals Road.

The church planned to build a larger sanctuary off Boyette Road.

But through the years, other things took priority.

First, St. Stephen built a school on its 40-acre Boyette property. Then, the church waited. For increased membership. For funding and support.

In 2010, St. Stephen started an official fundraising campaign, Building Our Future Together, asking parishioners to contribute.

A Building Committee formed.

The church posted updates online encouraging families to take ownership and become part of the process.

Today, on the Feast of St. Stephen, the church will break ground on their dream: a 30,726-square-foot sanctuary.

The building project, which includes the construction of a 19,183-square-foot Family Life Center, will cost $12 million and finish in May 2016.

To celebrate, St. Stephen will host a community groundbreaking ceremony and reception at 4 p.m. today. A celebration will also follow Mass at 11 a.m. Sunday.

"The building is a strong sign of positive growth," said the Rev. Bob Schneider, pastor. "The younger generation has invested in the future of our church. There are new things emerging."

St. Stephen raised about $6 million toward the building venture, much of it from its 15,000 parishioners. The church will borrow the remainder, Schneider said.

"Fundraising is always a difficult process but in this case most people were very supportive of the new church," said Rick Hughes, building campaign chairman. "Those who could contribute financially did."

For Hughes, leading the campaign took on personal meaning.

"I'm retired military and traveling around, my family and I always attended churches someone else built," Hughes said. "This was my opportunity to help build something for future generations."

In addition to Mass and religious traditions, more than 100 ministries will operate out of St. Stephen's new facilities, including mom and dad groups, marriage counseling, a food pantry, small groups, children's classes and fertility care. Events once held in outdoor tents will take place at the Life Center. The entire pastoral staff will get to work under one roof, Schneider said.

Until then, the church will continue to hold services in its temporary building.

For more information, visit ststephencatholic.org/boft.

Contact Sarah Whitman at sarahrothwhitman@gmail.com.