Groundbreaking projected for June 2024
MOUNT HOLLY — St. Joseph College Seminary has reached an important step in realizing its plans for a major chapel. Thanks to recent pledges, the seminary has met its initial $22 million goal, moving the project from the design phase to the construction documents phase, with groundbreaking planned for June 2024.
“We recently received a $2 million pledge but have also been given many smaller gifts from people around the diocese,” said Fredrik Akerblom, director of advancement for the college seminary. “While we have reached the initial goal, we still need to raise another $3 million to ensure that we can both meet the costs that have naturally increased since the $22 million estimate was made a few years ago and build all the parts that Father Kauth had planned for a third phase. This will avoid us having to pay the substantial costs of staging for a major construction project again.”
The second construction phase of the seminary will now add a major chapel, offices, piazza, and a welcoming hall to host visits, talks and retreats for parishes around the diocese.
The new chapel will be large enough to host liturgies with the seminary community and up to 150 visitors. The project promises to add a whole new dimension to the life of the college seminary – and all those who want to visit.
Father Matthew Kauth, rector of the college seminary, recently made several cost-saving tweaks to the original plan. For example, on the side of the chapel that faces the courtyard, the covered cloister walkway has been removed.
“This will save a significant amount of money and allow natural light to fill the chapel to a much higher extent than when the walkway was there, as it partially blocked the windows of the chapel on that side,” Akerblom noted.
All are invited to visit the seminary for an Advent open house from 2 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 16, to see the seminary from the inside with all the Christmas decorations the seminarians have made and installed. Visitors will also be able to see the seminary chapel’s new polyptych, a five-panel painting that has been in progress for the past five years.
Hot cocoa, cookies and self-guided tours will be offered, along with the chance to meet the seminary’s dogs Bocca and Lupo. In addition, Deacon Timothy Mueller will serve hot dogs and pretzels in the barn.
The open house is a chance to experience the hospitality of St. Joseph College Seminary before the construction of the chapel, kitchen and meeting space.
“We are looking forward to inviting larger groups from around our diocese to visit the seminary,” Akerblom said. “With a new chapel and a chapter house that is created in large part for our visitors to have talks, lunch and other gatherings, we hope that parishes, Catholic groups, and others will feel welcome to visit here.”
Father Kauth is also looking forward to welcoming more visitors, especially fellow priests, encouraging those interested to contact Akerblom.
“I extend an invitation to all my brother priests to consider a visit to the seminary, alone, or with people from your parish,” Father Kauth said. “We want to make the seminary a location where all our priests feel welcome to make a personal retreat or to bring a group of the faithful for tours, talks, or simply to get to know us here.”
— Annie Ferguson
For information
Interested in visiting the seminary or have other inquiries? Contact Fredrik Akerblom at 704-302-6386 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
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