Our Needs

Church Bell Tower Improvements

• This important architectural feature of St. Rita's is dangerously deteriorated and needs to be repaired.
• The tower's flat roof is failing, which has caused water damaged to the beautiful limestone exterior.
• The damaged limestone panels and brick faces are unsafe, and many bricks have had to be removed. 
• Because the tower is an ongoing liability the Archdiocese proactively closed it, the driveway, and the covered drop off and walkway to our church entrance.
• With those closures, our church doesn't easily accommodate our members and visitors who need easy access. It also doesn't look welcoming and well-maintained to potential new members.
• Additionally, the cross atop the bell tower has potentially dangerous structural issues.

Church Building Improvements  

Our architecturally stunning church, built in 1958, requires improvements and repairs to its exterior and interior.

• The exterior brick and mortar is cracked, peeled, chipped and damaged.
• Our beautiful stained-glass windows and their casings are damaged.
• The exterior brickwork requires waterproofing and sealing to prevent further water infiltration.
• Inside, the church’s kneelers are torn and worn out.  

Church Grounds Improvements

The church grounds do not present the impression of a well-cared for facility.

• Our church sign is outdated and worn.
• The parking lot has potholes, cracks and poor grading. Water drains toward and seeps into our underground pedestrian walkway systems and adjacent buildings.
• Several exterior brick walls are damaged and need brick repair and tuck pointing.

Family Life Center Improvements

Our Family Life Center has served our community well over the years for dances, skate nights, and sporting events, but it is worn and needs updating and maintenance.

• The exterior bricks are cracked, loose, and missing mortar. This can allow water infiltration and damage.
• The old heating system is difficult  to regulate and we lack central air conditioning. This often makes the facility uncomfortable during events.
• The windows and casings are in disrepair and the many single pane windows. These exacerbates the heating and cooling problems and makes the center very energy inefficient and costly to maintain.
• The aged lighting system and fixtures are too dim and cost and energy inefficient. 
• The center is cluttered with stored items unrelated to it's activities.
• The ceiling and floor tiles are worn and potentially contain dangerous asbestos.
• The interior hasn’t been repainted or repaired in years and the worn walls are cracking and slaking in places.
• Without enough small and medium multi-purpose rooms, the facility cannot host or attract a wider variety of meetings, activities, and events.
• Our newly installed kitchenette offers only limited use until the heating and air conditioning needs are addressed.
• Our library addition lacks adequate heating and cooling. Traditionally, the library building hosted educational and social events that we’d like to do again.

Pre-School Building Improvements

Our Pre-School Building is a historical site dating to our founding in 1919 and has served as our original church, school, and rectory. Today, it is unsafe inside and out and there have been many discussions about its use and preservation.

• The exterior brick and mortar is falling out, chipping, and cracking.
• Persistent mold and termite problems need to be addressed.
• The interior is cluttered with various storage items.
• There is a missing door, the worn, old floors contain asbestos, and the walls are cracked and peeling, and haven’t been painted in years.
• The restrooms are not up to code or handicapped accessible.
• The HVAC system and electrical service are not operational and require extensive upgrades.