MOUNT PLEASANT—A new building project at Christ Our King Church is designed to bring different generations together.
The parish’s active youth and senior ministries will share the new facility, known as the Beach House because its design is similar to family beach houses on Sullivan’s Island.
Fundraising for the project started in October, and so far $1,104,460 in cash and pledges has been raised. The goal is $2.2 million, said Lauren Sanchez, parishioner and primary architect for the project. No date for groundbreaking has been set.
The name has confused some people who actually think the structure is going to be on the beach, Sanchez said. In fact, it will be adjacent to the church.
The building will allow young people and seniors to interact and learn from each other. It includes a large multi-purpose space, a “Reflection Room” for small meetings and prayer, a patio, family-style kitchen, private office and meeting areas for both groups, and an outdoor space including bocce ball courts and a garden.
Msgr. James A. Carter, pastor of Christ Our King, said they want the house to feel like a home, not an institutional building.
“This will hopefully be a way to combine the wisdom of age and the energy of youth, and help both groups to enrich each other’s lives,” he said.
Msgr. Carter said as far as he can tell, the building will be the first of its kind in the diocese.
Planning has been ongoing for two years, and the pastor met regularly with a committee of parish members and staff. They held meetings with youth and seniors to formulate ideas.
The current youth facility was originally a store and then the first parish rectory. Seniors meet in a house donated by a parishioner.
When the Beach House is completed, the youth building will be donated to Christ Our King-Stella Maris School for use as a black box theater. The seniors’ house will either be donated to a deserving family or torn down and recycled, Sanchez said.
The new campus includes energy efficient heating and cooling systems, and extensive insulation. Builders will install energy-efficient plumbing, lighting fixtures and appliances, and use renewable and recycled materials.
“We’re working to create a facility that is not only more cost effective over the life of the building, but one that serves our responsibility as Christians to be good stewards of the earth,” Sanchez said. “When it is complete, this building will actually be less expensive to operate than both of the other buildings combined, even though it’s twice the size.”