New community center in Bahner is testament to prayer and parishioners’ belief in the power of faith and hard work

It may have been one of the coldest nights of the old year, but inside the brand-new St. John the Evangelist Community Center, everything was warm and toasty, as good friends celebrated that friendship by welcoming 2018 the tried and true way — with food, fun and fellowship.

The people with whom parishioners had shared the challenges, the sorrows, the heartaches, the joys, the setbacks and the accomplishments of 2017 were all there, save a few who were kept away by frigid temperatures or were with family or traveling.

But all were there in the spirit of the Church.

Following the Vigil Mass for the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, the church family of St. John the Evangelist gathered in the newly completed community center to relish a tremendous year of accomplishment and welcome the future with ageless eyes of faith.

2017 was a year that saw the completion of the community center, a nearly 2,000-square-foot addition to the venerable and historical St. John Schoolhouse.

It marked the first completion of a major building project since the schoolhouse was completed in 1924.

It also stemmed the ominous tide of razing of buildings on church grounds that had fallen into disrepair and were no longer in use, beginning with the nuns’ humble residence and later the priest’s house that had been built in 1881.

The community center was completed at a cost of just over $110,000 and lots of community know-how and volunteer labor. The building has been estimated to have a value of closer to $200,000.

All during construction, the church paid for every board, bolt and bucket of paint, and never once went into debt. It was a self-imposed condition agreed upon by parishioners.

Clearly needed

St. John the Evangelist Church property is part of the Pettis County Catholic Community, which also includes two Sedalia parishes. The church and community center are located at the junction of Highways M and V, roughly between Sedalia, Cole Camp and Versailles.

The story of the community center’s creation and its challenging road to completion began four years ago, when a few parishioners undertook to replace the old deck on the back of St. John School.

The schoolhouse had served the community well over the years, and many parishioners attended school there, and so did their parents and grandparents. It was and continues to be a visible link to the past.

But as the parish grew, so did the needs for fellowship, and it was apparent the tiny schoolhouse just wasn’t big enough for everyone to fit anymore.

More than 15 years ago, a wood deck was constructed on the back of the schoolhouse to provide a handicap-accessible ramp to the floor level, which is more than four feet above grade.

It was the failing health of the deck that ultimately led the parish to take a look at building a community center large enough to accommodate the growing parish.

The deck replacement bid came in at $10,000, and it was put to a vote whether to replace the deck or put some more money with it and build an enclosed community center that could serve the parish rain or shine.

Stepping out in faith, the church membership voted 3 to 1 in favor of a building addition.

“Still, everyone agreed that if we were going to do it, we would do it right with no debt and pay for everything as we went,” a building committee member stated.

People gave generously to the capital campaign, which reached its $60,000 goal. Onward and upward!

Throughout the process, parishioners rose above a series of frustrating challenges.

It was truly a community effort, with volunteer labor from many Knights of Columbus from Council 831 as well as parishioners from Sacred Heart and St. Patrick in Sedalia.

The deaths of three faithful pillars of St. John the Evangelist parish meant the hall had to be used for funeral luncheons, causing scheduled work to be postponed.

But each time, the contractors were able to continue the work without missing a day.

“We were shelled in, in the dry, in 62 days from the time we broke ground,” a member of the building committee noted. “The Lord surely heard our prayers!”

Answered prayers

God continued to bless the people and the project all the way through construction. Even before the first shovel full of dirt was moved, the parish began praying at each Mass a Prayer for the Community Center, asking God to guide and make holy the work.

Then last year, when all construction was completed, they switched to praying a Prayer of Thanksgiving to God for fulfilling His promises. That prayer was prayed after every Mass up until St. John Community Center was dedicated on St. John the Evangelist’s Feast Day, Dec. 27.

The St. John Community Center, as it is appropriately named, provides needed room for the increasing number of social events the 700-square-foot schoolhouse could no longer accommodate.

In January alone, three families had reserved the St. John Community Center for special events.

The center is also likely to accommodate: monthly Parish Family Night socials on the Second Saturday of each month; Lake Creek Fire Protection District annual meetings; bridal showers; baby showers; class reunions; spiritual retreats; Sacred Heart School religion class retreats; Christmas gatherings and plays; First Communion parties and Confirmation receptions; and the Parish Family Picnic and Lake Excursion.

On Jan. 13, the team, candidates and sponsors of the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults for the Pettis County Catholic Community were at St. John for Mass and its instructional session on the Holy Virgin.

“As the parish looks forward to the new year, we do so with a hope bright and young as the faith that inspires us,” a member of the building committee stated. “With Jesus, Mary and Joseph to guide our families and St. John to constantly remind us of the depth and breadth and width of Christ’s love for each of us, 2018 is going to be a very good year. God’s blessings to all.”