Excel Constructors’ renovation work on St. Joseph Catholic Church and its Parish Service Center located in Shawnee, KS began in June of this year. This project includes a 16,000 SF church renovation and 3,000 SF Narthex addition. The addition will include a new entrance, open gathering space, gift shop and restrooms. A new elevator, basement & second floor windows, second floor HVAC upgrades and new entry vestibule are the planned improvements for the Parish Service Center. The estimated completion date is December 2017.
A treasured find beneath the Church
During the excavation for the narthex construction, Superintendent Darin Hanzlick and the construction crew discovered a forgotten time capsule with artifacts from 1967 when the Church was first built. The time capsule, a metal box enclosed in a concrete block engraved with the name of the Church, included a newspaper announcing the building of the Church, drawings of the new Church and other artifacts. Though some of the contents were affected by moisture, most were readable and are now being stored safely. Once the renovations are complete, they will be returned to the Church.
