Father G. Philip Ryan, pastor of Christ Our King and Savior Church, officiated on Monday, Aug. 16, at a groundbreaking ceremony for a new 13,000-square-foot parish life center to be constructed at the rear of the present church. The parish is located at 6341 Lake Oconee Parkway in Greensboro.

Representatives of the architectural firm and the construction company, along with members of the parish building, finance and capital campaign committees participated in the groundbreaking.  Peter Faletti, a member of the parish and also the director of planning and facilities for the Archdiocese of Atlanta, made the opening remarks and introductions.

At the site, Father Ryan blessed the land, and with the other representatives turned over the first shovel of dirt to prepare for construction.

The multi-purpose building, which will be on two levels, will include numerous meeting rooms and classroom space. There will also be space for several new parish offices, a library, storage and room for future growth.

Designers for the project are Furman Architects, of Greenwood, S.C. The general contractor is the firm of Spratlin & Sons of Lincolnton. Dennis Kelly, of Catholic Construction Services, Inc., is lending oversight to the project.

The plans also include space for a pavilion for outdoor events, as well as a playground. The building is scheduled to be completed in the summer of 2011.

Christ Our King and Savior, which currently has 580 registered families, was established as a parish of the Archdiocese of Atlanta in 1996, and the present church was dedicated on Oct. 22, 2004. Father Ryan has been pastor since June 2005.