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May 01, 2013

St. James', Conroe, Breaks Ground on $1.5 Million Project

Break Ground St. James

Deacon Phyllis Hartman, Bishop Jeff Fisher,
Senior Warden Jerry Streater, Building Committee
Chairman Dick Deming, Rector Jerald Hyche

Processions and prayers, bagpipes and drums, shovels and speeches – all highlighted a ceremonial groundbreaking Sunday for St. James the Apostle’s $1.5 million construction project in Conroe.

 

“Sunday was a landmark day in the long life of St. James parish,” said the Rev. Jerald Hyche, rector.

 

Construction is set to begin immediately and be completed by September on the project, which includes a new entrance directly from Highway 105 to the church’s 18-acre campus; improved and expanded parking; an outdoor plaza; and extensive underground development necessary for future phases of the campus master plan.

 

To begin the ceremony, bagpipers and drummers from St. Thomas Episcopal School in Houston led the congregation in procession around the property. After an opening prayer by the Rt. Rev. Jeff Fisher, Hyche introduced guests guests, including Conroe Mayor Webb Melder and Diocesan Development Coordinator Bob Schorr.

 

“In just a minute we’re going to break ground on this land,” Hyche said. “We’re going to begin improving this place where God is worshiped. Jesus, his son will be praised for what he has done, and we the people of God will continue to serve one another and all those who in the years to come will turn off of Highway 105 and drive up into this campus in search of something more.”

 

As the congregation shouted alleluia along with whoops and cheers, Bishop Fisher, Hyche, Senior Warden Jerry Streater and Building Committee Chairman Dick Deming put on hard hats, grabbed golden shovels, and simultaneously sliced them into the ground.

 

Other dignitaries followed suit, including Vestry members, officials of project contractor Kingham Dalton Wilson Ltd. (KDW) of Houston, American Civil Engineering Services (ACES) of Conroe and LBA Architects of Houston.

 

“This project comes none too soon,” Hyche said, noting that this is the 78-year-old church’s first new construction since relocating to the site from near downtown 20 years ago. We see these improvements as yet another way of carrying out our mission as Christians – to share the good news of Jesus Christ with all people.

 

“With the new entrance, the 30,000 or so motorists who pass by on 105 will finally see that we’re here. Maybe not all of them will turn up the driveway, but those who do will be greeted with a pleasant, safe place as soon as they step foot on campus. I don’t know who they’ll be, but I can safely speak for all of us here at St. James by saying, we can’t wait to meet them.”