Groundbreaking for the New Holy Spirit Church, Denver, North Carolina

More than 250 people gathered excitedly under a large tent July 28 to break ground on a new, larger Holy Spirit Church. After persevering through multiple capital campaigns over nearly 12 years, they were undaunted by the heat and the muddy construction site.

The $12.5 million building project is the parish’s response to its tremendous growth, which has topped 1,000 families driven by the escalating population in the Lake Norman area.

The 16,000-square-foot church will seat 675 people and feature traditional Catholic architecture with rounded arches, stained-glass windows, choir loft, baptistry, and twin towers bookending the main entrance.

The site blessing and groundbreaking ceremonies were led by Bishop Michael Martin, OFM Conv., and Holy Spirit’s pastor Father Carmen Malacari, with special guest Monsignor John McSweeney, who was instrumental in Holy Spirit’s early years. According to diocesan officials, the special liturgy before the groundbreaking, “Order of Commencement of Work to Build a Church,” was a first for the diocese…

…Handling the ceremonial shovels were Bishop Martin, Monsignor McSweeney, Father Malacari and Deacon Matt Reilly; architects William Heyer of Columbus, Ohio, and Scotty Smith with ADW of Charlotte; Mark Baucom from general contractor Hickory Construction; and Tommy Touchstone, head of the parish building committee.

As a civil engineer, Touchstone said groundbreakings are nothing new to him, but witnessing his parish’s big day was “a thrill.”

He said he’s proud of what the parish has planned in close collaboration with the diocese. “This church is going to be something that the diocese hasn’t seen before.”

Construction is expected to take 16 months, and parishioners hope to be worshiping in the new church by the end of 2025.

— “A High-Spirited Occasion,” Catholic News Herald

Groundbreaking at the exact site of the future altar