Summary of Feasibility Study Results
February 2025


Summary of Feasibility Study Results
  • Participants
    • 13 telephone survey respondents
    • 32 paper survey respondents
    • 5 online survey respondents
    • While this number was lower than desired, it is sufficient to get a fair assessment of the sentiments of the parish.
  • Preliminary findings
    • Interviews – 85% in favor of a capital campaign
    • Paper and on-line responses – 66% in favor of a capital campaign
    • Overall – 71% in favor of a capital campaign
    • Concern most noted was the total price tag. Most feel that only the most needed projects should be addressed
  • Perception of the parish in general
    E = Excellent, V = Very Good, G = Good, F = Fair, P = Poor, N = No Opinion
    • Interviews – 100% rated the parish as good or better
    • Paper and On-line – 75% rated the parish as good or better
    • Those who rated the parish below good or better describe the parish as older, poor and overwhelmed by the cost of the projects
  • Proposed projects
    E = Essential, IBNE = Important but Not Essential, SI = Somewhat Important, NI = Not Important
    • High Priority
      • Stained Glass Windows
        • Interviews – 100% responded E or IBNE
        • Paper and On-line – 94% responded E or IBNE
      • Masonry repair over furnace room
        • Interviews – 94% responded E or IBNE
        • Paper and On-line – 91% responded E or IBNE
      • Replace deteriorated beam over kitchen door
        • Interviews – 92% responded E or IBNE
        • Paper and On-line – 94% responded E or IBNE
      • Repair stonework over doors and windows on the west wall
        • Interviews – 85% responded E or IBNE
        • Paper and On-line – 97% responded E or IBNE
      • Repair active leaks
        • Interviews – 92% responded E or IBNE
        • Paper and On-line – 100% responded E or IBNE
      • Bat Removal/cleanup
        • Interviews – 100% responded E or IBNE
        • Paper and On-line – 86% responded E or IBNE
      • Rectory Steps
        • Interviews – 92% responded E or IBNE
        • Paper and On-line – 92% responded E or IBNE
      • Fix damaged concrete on handicap ramp
        • Interviews – 92% responded E or IBNE
        • Paper and On-line – 100% responded E or IBNE
    • Intermediate Priority
      • Repair roof sidewall step flashing
        • Interviews – 85% responded E or IBNE
        • Paper and On-line – 88% responded E or IBNE
      • Remove and replace siding and skirting around the bell towers
        • Interviews – 84% responded E or IBNE
        • Paper and On-line – 85% responded E or IBNE
      • Exterior masonry restoration
        • Interviews – 77% responded E or IBNE
        • Paper and On-line – 82% responded E or IBNE
      • Replace caulk joints around vinyl windows
        • Interviews – 93% responded E or IBNE
        • Paper and On-line – 94% responded E or IBNE
      • Structural assessment of fire damage
        • Interviews – 46% responded E or IBNE
        • Paper and On-line – 78% responded E or IBNE
    • The responses indicate a definite understanding that repairs need to be made.
    • The responses indicate the need to be financially aware when prioritizing projects.
    • The responses indicate that there is a willingness to financially support the projects over a three-year period.
The complete feasibility study report is available upon request. Ask any of the Parish Council members to obtain a copy. 

March 9, 2025
St. John's Parish Council Information on the Renovation
St. John has received a total of $28, 500 from the Center for Congregations, a grant program funded by Lilly which is an annual Archdiocesan-approved source for grants. This money addressed the following administrative costs incurred with our renovation project: Arsee Engineers, structural assessment ($4,000 of the $8,000 fee); the feasibility study ($9,500) and the remainder applied to the $40,000 cost for Arsee Engineers to create bid documents for each of the individual items identified in their assessment.
  
Results of the Feasibility Study
Results indicate that St. John should launch a professional capital campaign in late spring or early fall of 2025. This campaign provides pre- and post-campaign consultation, professional fundraising counsel during/after the campaign, clerical work, printing, collating, letter generation, inserting, folding, labeling, mailing, shipping costs, posters/banners, social media content and other services relative to the project. St.
John would pay $14, 500, which is a "set fee" based on 117 registered families.
 
 Although all the administrative fees appear high, the Archdiocese assures us that these expenses are not only essential, but reasonable compared to other projects that they have seen. In addition to grant programs approved by the Archdiocese, other sources are/will be sought as long as there are no issues with the Archdiocese.
 
 In conclusion, your input is welcome and necessary. The next scheduled Parish Council meeting is Tuesday, March 25 at 6:45 PM in the church basement. (This time has been set to allow Father Binu to return from his Tuesday evening Mass at Napoleon.)
 
 If you would like to be on the agenda, please call Vickie at 812-621-1403 prior to Monday, March 24, by 3 PM.
 
 Also, a question/comments/ideas box for your input will be placed on the shelving unit left of the front church entrance.

Location