The Cornerstone Campaign
"... The cornerstone being Jesus Christ. He holds the whole building together and makes it grow into a sacred temple dedicated to God." (Ephesians 2:20)
Building Our Church: Frequently Asked Questions
Why do we need a new church? The existing one seems adequate.
Our present church was built in 1964. It no longer meets current building codes for seismic safety and handicapped accessibility, nor does it accommodate the full and active participation in the liturgy encouraged by the Second Vatican Council.
In 1998, after several years of studying the feasibility of renovating and expanding the existing structure, Fr. Bill, his advisors, and Bishop McFarland concluded that parish funds would be best invested in a new building that would meet the growing, evolving needs of Our Lady Queen of Angels.
Why build now, especially in this economy? The answer is simple: Because of the economy.
As of this writing, the cost of money (interest rates) and the cost of construction are down by as much as 30%, which could provide us with a potential savings of up to $10 million or more from previous estimates – if we move forward now. For example, in 2006, new-church construction costs were estimated at $29 million. Today that number has dropped to $19.8 million.
What we gain is immeasurable: An inspirational, larger, and more earthquake-safe church, characterized by timeless and beautiful simplicity, in which to pray and celebrate what God has done for us. Generations to come will have a stirring house of prayer. We will have room to welcome back inactive Catholics and to share our faith with new seekers. And we will have a multipurpose campus complex that serves not just our spiritual needs, but our worldly ones as well.
Why was the school addition built before the church?
From April 2006 through November 2007, we had neither control of the St. Mark property nor sufficient funds to begin construction of the church. However, we had both the control and cash necessary to expand the school. Specifically:
- Construction on our new church could not begin until the community of St. Mark Presbyterian Church had vacated their property on Domingo Dr. Purchase of the property (for about $9.1 million) was completed in April 2006, but the site was not vacated until November 2007. At that time we did not have sufficient funds to cover construction costs, which were estimated then at $29 million. (Today that number has dropped to $19.8 million.)
- During that same period we did have control of the school property, all requisite approvals and permits for construction to begin, and sufficient funds to cover expansion costs ($9.4 million). Consequently we broke ground in May 2007, and expansion was completed in September 2008.
In addition, we believed that once school construction began, all of us would see real, tangible progress on achieving the three goals of our Cornerstone Campaign (new church, expanded school, new gym), and that progress would inspire further, necessary fundraising efforts. This turned out to be the case. We were able to raise $11.1 million in our second capital campaign, which began in the fall of 2006 and concluded in March 2007.
What is the plan for moving forward?
Our goal is that the church will be under construction by 2011, which coincides with the celebration of our parish’s Fiftieth Anniversary. The Building Committee has divided the project into three phases:
- Phase One: completion of the new church with everything necessary to celebrate the liturgy, half of the courtyard, the adjacent parking lot, and basic landscaping. Current cost: $15.8 million. Possible Completion: late 2011.
- Phase Two: Completion of the community room, nursery, pipe organ, second half of the courtyard and remaining landscaping. Current cost: $5 million. Completion: After loan is paid off for Phase One.
- Phase Three: Completion of a multipurpose gymnasium, dismantling of our current church and completion of a new parking configuration on that site. Current cost: $5 million. Possible completion date after Phase One and Two are completed.
Where are we in terms of money raised and spent to date?
Money spent: We have already paid for the St. Mark Property ($9.1 million), the renovation and expansion of the school and athletic field ($9.4 million), and all of the necessary planning, entitlement, engineering, architectural, governmental fees and fundraising costs ($1.7 million). We have also spent $0.8 million on the church and $250,000 on the electrical requirements for the gym.
Money raised: For the two remaining stages of the Cornerstone Campaign, we have raised $11.1 million to date ($5.2 million in cash and $5.9 million in pledges). We are actively seeking to borrow about $4.5 million in order to begin Phase One construction as soon as possible, because we qualify for a tax- exempt loan with a lower interest rate due to exemptions created from the completed construction of our school. Catholic Finance Corporation is working with us to identify funding sources for this phase.
What is the loan going to cost us?
Loans must be repaid with interest. Borrowing this amount of money is neither uncommon nor undertaken without serious consideration. Debt service (principal and interest) may amount to as much as $255,000 per year for 20 years until the loan is paid off. However, by working together, we can embark on a more aggressive repayment strategy that would result in our paying off the loan in a much shorter period of time than its original terms. That would enable us to start construction sooner on Phases Two and Three of the Cornerstone Campaign.
Although we intend to secure a loan in the near future, we will not draw any funds from it (except for required incidental administrative charges) until we have in place the Bishop’s approval, building permits, and a guaranteed maximum price contract from an acceptable general contractor. Once these are secured, working drawings can be completed with confidence that construction can begin.
Why the six-year delay in beginning church construction?
A project as ambitious in scope as ours requires extensive study, planning, and collaboration in order to bring it to life. No activity associated with it happens quickly or in a vacuum. For example, acquiring the St. Mark property took longer than anticipated because they first had to find a suitable parcel of land on which to build their new church. In addition, we had to work extensively with local government authorities for the necessary permits and easements that our project requires.
Much time and collaboration across a broad range of constituencies is necessary in order to be successful. At every step of the way we’ve been proactive, diligent, and determined.
Will my contribution go toward helping pay the legal settlements for the misconduct scandal here in Orange or in other dioceses such as Los Angeles or Portland?
Absolutely not. All contributions are placed in a special, legally protected account designated specifically for building our new church and cannot be used for any other reason. This account is administered by the Orange Catholic Foundation, which funds Catholic ministries and is independent from the Diocese of Orange administration. When construction bills need to be paid, funds deposited under the name of Our Lady Queen of Angels are withdrawn to do so.
Letter to Parishioners from Fr. Kerry, September 26, 2009
Dear Parishioners,
We are about to take the next step in the building of our new church. As we move forward, I want every parishioner to have a clear understanding of the commitment we as a parish are making. Our goal is that the church will be under construction by 2011, which coincides with the celebration of our parish’s Fiftieth Anniversary.
- The building committee has now divided the project into three separate phases:
Phase One will include: The church building itself with everything necessary to celebrate the liturgy, as well as completion of half of the courtyard, the adjacent parking lot and basic landscaping. Current cost estimate: $15 million
Phase Two will include: The completion of the community room, the nursery, the pipe organ, the second half of the courtyard, and the remaining landscaping. Current cost estimate: $5 million
Phase Three will include: The construction of a multipurpose gymnasium, the dismantling of our current church and the completion of a new parking configuration on that site. Current cost estimate: $5 million
- To date we have raised a total of $11.1 million - $5.2 million in cash and $5.9 million in pledges. Our plan is to borrow up to $4.5 million in order to begin construction as soon as possible. This amount will come from tax-exempt financing with a lower rate of interest, which we qualify for due to exemptions created from the completed construction of the school.
- Of course, loans must be repaid with interest. Borrowing this amount of money is not something to be done without serious consideration. But it is common for parishes to borrow for building projects. The debt service (principal and interest) on an annual basis could amount to as much as $255,000 annually until the loan is paid off. With all of us working together, this is possible in less than five years.
- Although we would be securing a loan facility at this time, we would not actually draw any funds from the loan (except for required incidental administrative charges) until we have the Bishop’s approval, complete working drawings, city plan check approval, and a guaranteed maximum price contract from an acceptable general contractor. However, the diocese is accommodating the needs of our parish and a few other parishes by organizing loans now so that working drawings can be completed with confidence that the construction can commence. Our construction committee is going to keep a close eye on construction costs. Catholic Finance Corporation is advising our parish and school on budgets and overall finances. We are trying to do everything necessary to protect the interests of the parish in this effort.
- The advantage of moving forward now is to take advantage of a likely 30% reduction in construction costs available in the current depressed market. This means a savings of up to $10 million from previous estimates and maybe more.
- We will gain a beautiful, larger and more earthquake safe church in which to pray and celebrate what God has done for us. Generations to come will have an appropriate house of prayer. We will have room to welcome back inactive Catholics and share our faith with new seekers. Overall the fully functional design will be characterized by a timeless and beautiful simplicity.
- The phasing allows us to pay as we go. Once we have paid off the loan we could move forward in Phase 2 with the community room (to be used by Children’s Liturgy of the Word and RCIA), the nursery (for childcare during Mass), the pipe organ (to add beauty to our sung prayer), the rest of the courtyard and landscaping (to provide a beautiful environment of welcome).
- The final phase would then begin with the construction of the multi-use parish gymnasium to be used by the parish school during the day and by youth ministry and parish functions of all kinds during the evenings and on weekends. Of course, if we had all the necessary funds we could do it all at once and get it done sooner.
- I am convinced that now is the right time to move forward on building a new church for the long term benefit of our parish community. You may have questions or suggestions. I would like to hear those too. Please use the enclosed form to reply, and please sign your name so I can respond to you personally. For additional information, please visit our website at: www.olqa.org/cornerstonecampaign .
While we definitely need a new church building for all the reasons above, I realize that a new church is not just about the building. It’s about securing the future for our parish, a vibrant community of faith, family and friends.
Sincerely in Christ,
Kerry Beaulieu
Pastor
Project Summary
Our Lady Queen of Angels church and school has always been committed to the spiritual and educational growth of the Catholic community in Newport Beach. The parish was founded in 1961 and the first services were held in the new church in 1966. As our community grew, the original fellowship hall was replaced with the Parish Center and kindergarten and pre-school classrooms were added to the school.
1964 Aerial Photo
The original church structure has served the parish very well over the last 40 years. As our parish has increased in size, the number of Masses to accommodate this growing need has also been increased. Today, at some Masses people can find themselves standing in the rear or in the side aisles, as seating in the pews is unavailable. Holiday events are proving to be even more challenging for us to accommodate those church members wishing to attend Mass. Most importantly our current church physical structure requires significant seismic and other upgrades to comply with State, Federal and City building codes and regulations. It is now time for the OLQA parish to update its facilities to meet this growing demand and to comply with modern earthquake requirements. We must do this within the permissible limits of the City of Newport Beach General Plan and zoning ordinances.
For many years our school has had to turn away scores of Newport Beach families who wish to have their children receive a parochial education. We are woefully short of providing the Catholic schooling that our families need and deserve. We now have the opportunity to accommodate the educational needs of our community by increasing the capacity of our school. Also, in order to provide for large school assemblies and other parish events, a multi-purpose facility would enhance the educational experience for our students and be of benefit to our church members.
In order to provide the additional space needed for our church and school to accommodate our growing Catholic community, an agreement has been reached with St. Mark Presbyterian Church to purchase their property across from our campus on Domingo Drive. Our existing church has a seating capacity of 870. Combining the OLQA and St. Mark properties will enable us to build a new church that will accommodate 1200 parishioners at a Mass. The plans for the new church include a pipe organ, community room, nursery, bridal room, devotional shrines, choir space for up to seventy participants and a large outdoor plaza.
To pursue our mission of excellence in Catholic education, the school expansion is proposed to provide an additional classroom for each of the kindergarten through 8th grade classes. There would be a few additional special subject rooms, and the library, science and computer rooms will be completely remodeled. The original classrooms along Domingo Drive will also be updated and modernized. The multi-purpose gymnasium will accommodate a full size basketball court with bleachers on one side. This facility will also be available for school assemblies, plays, rainy day shelter, and could accommodate large parish functions. In order to comply with the City's general plan and zoning and to avoid any adverse traffic impacts, we must, however, eliminate the preschool class.
Cornerstone Campaign overview and site plan
Consolidation of the Two Church Campuses
Conformance with the City's General Plan (FAR = .17, or 91,630 s.f.)
Church seating consolidated and reduced:
| From | To | |
| St. Mark | 350 | 0 |
| OLQA | 872 | 1,200 |
| Total | 1,222 | 1,200 |
| A net decrease of 22 seats. | ||
School Operations will be consolidated:
| From | To | |
| St. Mark Preschool | 70 children | 0 |
| OLQA Preschool | 35 children | 0 |
| OLQA K-8 | 315 children | 600 |
| Total | 420 | 600 |
| A net increase of 180 students, a net decrease of 2 schools | ||
Height of new school buildings will be one-story, matching existing buildings.
Church Parking is increased
| From | To | |
| 8-acre OLQA Parcel | 213 stalls | 163 stalls |
| 4-acre St. Mark Parcel | 137 stalls | 238 stalls |
| Subtotal | 350 stalls | 401 stalls |
| Overflow OLQA seasonal parking | 38 stalls | |
| Total | 439 stalls | |
| OLQA seating is increased by factor of 2.06 | ||
Our vision to provide for the current and future needs of Our Lady Queen of Angels began with a process of listening to the parish community, praying and planning to meet the challenges we face. A capital campaign to fund the new church and additional school facilities is on-going. Our parish community has been committed over the years of our Outreach Program to helping those in need both in our community and at large. We have made a commitment as a parish to tithe 10% of what our parish raises in this capital campaign project to the Diocese of Orange to support poor parishes in our Diocese. Both the Gospel message and Catholic tradition call upon us to aid the poor and less fortunate and we are pleased to be able to make this commitment.
We welcome and encourage your enthusiastic participation in this important endeavor for the benefit of future generations of Catholics in Newport Beach. We thank you for all your support and prayers.
Planned Giving
Have you included a bequest to OLQA in your will or trust? Gifts of this type often provide substantial tax benefits to you and your family and will provide for the current and future needs of our local Catholic community as well as our many ministries. OLQA is always an extremely grateful beneficiary and will steward your gift well. Whether interested in supporting one of OLQA's many ministries, its ongoing operations, the parish school or the building fund, please consider naming OLQA as a beneficiary of your will or trust and join the many parish families that have already taken this wonderful step. The Planned Giving Committee, comprised of professionals well versed in the art of estate planning, encourage your questions and inquiries.
I am very pleased and supportive of the plans that are being developed in order to build a new Church and to expand the parish school. I am appreciative of the commitment that the parish has made to tithe a ten percent portion of funds raised in your campaign so that I might be able to assist parishes in the diocese with less financial strength than your own. Your generosity is a sign of your catholicity; that is, your concern for others as you strive to meet your own needs.
- Most Reverend Tod D. Brown
Bishop of Orange
