St. Gabriel Catholic Church & School
St. Gabriel Catholic Church and School in Connersville, Indiana, has long stood as a beacon of faith, formation, and community. Established in 1851, the parish has always recognized the importance of Catholic education in nurturing future generations. Over the years, this commitment has been reflected in the church’s willingness to grow, adapt, and invest in its future.
The school’s original large building, constructed in 1926 and expanded in the 1950s, faithfully served decades of students. In 2020, the parish completed its Phase I Building the Beacon of Hope campaign, adding a new gym and cafeteria to the campus. That effort, guided by Walsh & Associates and informed by broad member input through a Feasibility & Planning Study, laid the groundwork, both physically and spiritually, for the next phase of renewal.
Phase II – Demolishing the Old to Build New Classrooms
As St. Gabriel’s moved forward with their plans for their Phase II Building the Beacon of Hope campaign, parish leadership faced a hard truth: the 1926 school building had outlived its usefulness. Extensive evaluations revealed that simply bringing the old structure up to code would cost nearly $9 million. Yet, even then, it would still fall short of meeting the evolving needs of the school and parish community.
With prayerful discernment and the same trusted partnership with Walsh & Associates, St. Gabriel’s launched Phase II of their vision: to remove the aging school building and make way for a new addition that would include modern, purpose-built classrooms for art, music, and preschool. The new space would better serve today’s students and support the school’s enrollment and competitiveness with other local schools for years to come. To honor their heritage, thoughtful care would be taken to salvage treasured architectural elements from the 1926 facade to incorporated into the design of the new facility.
The response to the plans and campaign from parishioners was remarkable. With hearts full of gratitude and hope, the St. Gabriel’s community once again gave sacrificially and generously to ensure success. Their dedication speaks not only to a love of their church and school but also to their shared belief in the mission of Catholic education and parish life.
Phase II of the Building the Beacon of Hope campaign is more than a construction project – it is an act of faith, a commitment to the future, and a witness to the strength and unity of this historic parish. As the new school addition takes shape, St. Gabriel’s continues to shine as a light of hope in Connersville, building on its rich past to create a vibrant future.
