Hot Springs plans new parish hall

Published May 7, 2021

St. John the Baptist Church in Hot Springs announced April 28 during a town hall meeting that its facilities modernization plan will include constructing a new parish hall. Pastor Father George Sanders told about 50 parishioners that remodeling work has begun in the current parish hall to create new parish offices and a new adoration chapel. He said it was necessary to move the offices from the rectory, which is next to the church, because it has become too crowded to serve as an office and home for two priests.

Father Sanders said there will be another town hall meeting held to further discuss the modernization plan. The pastor said the new office space and the chapel will cost $385,000. Funding will need to be found at a later time to install pews in the adoration chapel, the pastor said. He said the parish offices could be relocated within a month after renovations are completed.

Relocating the priests to another house off campus was rejected by the current and former priests who have lived there, Father Sanders said. They believed it was best to have their presence on the parish grounds.

Father Sanders said a new parish hall is necessary because the current facility is too small for larger events. He said the proposed new facility will cost more than $1 million, but funding has not been identified. He said construction could begin within the year if funds or pledges are secured.