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LITHIA SPRINGS--Members of St. John Vianney Parish will soon have their
first permanent church for worship and for the sacramental life of the
community.
Father Dan Fink, OFM Conv., the pastor, said that the multipurpose building
constructed in 1974, which houses the church, was always too small.
"It's gotten to a point that there are chairs in the gathering area and
lining the hallway down to the social hall," he said.
A $1.06 million project, the construction of a new church will allow the
existing buildings to be used exclusively as gathering, classroom and office
space. The architect for the project is Brent Pope of Howell Pope Architects of
Dunwoody and the contractors are JHD Construction.
Though there has been a seven-week construction delay due to problems with
the structure's beams, Father Fink hopes to have the church completed by late
spring.
The new church is expected to seat 425 people, more than double the number
of people the multipurpose building can accommodate.
Serving a parish of 1,800 people, the new church will feature a large
three-dimensional Franciscan San Damiano crucifix which will hang over the
altar. The altar, ambo and tabernacle pillar are being hand-crafted by
parishioner Fred Leo.
"(The parishioners) are thrilled that they are actually going to be
able to have a new church that will reflect their taste," Father Fink
said.
The church will also feature a sloped floor.
"From the entrance way to the church to the altar, there will be a
gradual decline of 16 inches, so that anywhere you sit in the church, you will
be able to see the sanctuary and see everything that is going on," he
said.
The new church will be completely handicapped-accessible and a new sound
system will be adapted for the hearing impaired. The present kitchen and
restrooms will also be renovated. The church will feature stained-glass windows
in the future.
"I'm just excited that it will be permanent," Father Fink said.
"The current church is very non-descript and everything in it is
movable."
Father Fink hopes that the new church will encourage parishioners to make
St. John Vianney a part of the important events of their lives.
"We lose a lot of weddings to other churches," he said. "A
lot of brides and grooms want a church with a church feel to it. We basically
have an auditorium that doubles as a church. With the new church we'll probably
attract more weddings because, hopefully, it will be more aesthetically
pleasing."
Father Fink said he is enjoying making his own contribution to the new
church.
"It's nice to know that you have input in what you feel should go in
the church," he said. "You get a lot of good will from that."
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