Campus Master Plan
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A Campus Master Plan:
An important part of our long-range Parish Pastoral PlanAs part of our long-range Parish Pastoral Planning process (learn more here), we are developing a Campus Master Plan. Please keep this effort in your prayers as we seek to discern how our parish can best steward the resources God has entrusted to us as we prepare for the future.
For 70 years, St. Gabriel has grown to meet the needs of the moment, constructing three church buildings, two schools, and a ministry center. While each has served an important purpose, our parish has never had a long-range plan for how our campus should grow in support of our mission to be and make disciples of Christ.
As we pray for continued growth and seek to fulfill our mission, we also recognize some of the challenges we face today:- Weekend Masses that regularly exceed the church seating capacity
- Parking lots that reach capacity during many Masses and parish events
- Ministry, parish and school needs that surpass available space
- Aging buildings and infrastructure that require significant maintenance and renewal
A Campus Master Plan is a long-range roadmap for how our buildings and campus could support the mission and ministries of St. Gabriel over the next 5 to 50 years and beyond. Rooted in prayerful discernment and good stewardship, it helps ensure future decisions are guided by a vision rather than immediate needs alone.
What Is a Campus Master Plan?
It helps answer questions such as:- How can our campus best support worship, formation, education, outreach, and fellowship?
- What opportunities and limitations exist on our property?
- How can future improvements be planned thoughtfully, responsibly, and with minimal disruption to mission and ministry?
What a Master Plan Is
- A customized framework for future growth
- A tool and guide for long-term decision-making
- A way to align facilities with our parish mission and vision
What a Master Plan Is Not
- A commitment to immediate construction
- A decision that specific projects will be built
- Final architectural drawings, construction documents, or pricing estimates
Who Is Helping Us?
Following a rigorous selection process evaluating multiple qualified firms—and with the approval of the Parish Pastoral Council, Finance Council, and the Diocese of Charlotte—we have engaged a team of experienced professionals:
- LS3P – Campus master planning services, with extensive planning and architectural experience serving 400+ churches and faith-based organizations
- Timmons Group – Comprehensive site survey services
- Real Estate Counsel, Daniel Terry – Deed restrictions, zoning interpretations, title policies
Our core team for this project includes Fr. Richard Sutter, Pastor; Andy Albritton, Lay Parochial Associate; Dr. Matt Zban, Pastoral Council Chair; Catherine Walsh, Finance Council Chair; and Pastoral Council members Jim Whitaker and Benne Hutson. We are grateful for the professional expertise and diocesan experience that Jim and Benne bring to this effort. Jim's extensive experience in architecture, together with Benne's legal expertise, are helping guide this important process.Timeline
Site survey work will take place this summer. The development of the Campus Master Plan is expected to take approximately 4–5 months, completed in time for the presentation of our Parish Pastoral Plan to Bishop Martin in December 2026.
The total cost of these services is expected to be $180,000, funded by the parish. This important in investment will provide the information and planning framework needed to make thoughtful decisions about our campus for years to come.
Investment
Designated gifts in support of this investment would be a blessing. Contact Andy Albritton here.
Learn about our Parish Pastoral Plan here - Weekend Masses that regularly exceed the church seating capacity
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Campus Master Plan FAQs
- Are we building something?
- Does this mean the parish has already decided to expand?
- Why are we doing this now?
- What will the site survey include?
- Why hire outside experts?
- How much does this process cost?
- How long will the process take?
- Who is overseeing the project?
- What happens after the master plan is completed?
- How can I support this effort?
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Are we building something?Not at this time. The Campus Master Plan is a planning process, not a construction project. Its purpose is to help us understand our current campus, identify future needs, and develop a long-range roadmap that can guide future decisions in support of our mission.
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Does this mean the parish has already decided to expand?No. No decisions have been made regarding future construction projects. The Campus Master Plan will help us understand what opportunities, challenges, and options exist before any decisions are considered.
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Why are we doing this now?As part of our Parish Pastoral Planning process, we are looking ahead to how St. Gabriel can best support our mission in the years to come. Today, we regularly experience capacity challenges in our church, meeting rooms, and parking areas. Developing a master plan allows us to evaluate future needs thoughtfully rather than responding only when space becomes unavailable.
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What will the site survey include?The survey will provide a detailed understanding of our campus and property, including:
- Buildings and facilities
- Parking and traffic flow
- Utilities and infrastructure
- Property boundaries and easements
- Pedestrian circulation and accessibility
- Opportunities and constraints for future development
This information will help ensure that future decisions are based on accurate data and a thorough understanding of our campus.
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Why hire outside experts?A campus master plan requires specialized expertise in planning, architecture, engineering, land use, and property law. The firms selected have extensive experience helping churches and other organizations evaluate their campuses and plan responsibly for future growth.
- LS3P – Campus master planning services, with extensive planning and architectural experience serving 400+ churches and faith-based organizations
- Timmons Group – Comprehensive site survey services
- Real Estate Counsel, Daniel Terry – Deed restrictions, zoning interpretations, title policies
- LS3P – Campus master planning services, with extensive planning and architectural experience serving 400+ churches and faith-based organizations
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How much does this process cost?The total cost of the site survey, master planning services, and legal guidance is expected to be approximately $180,000, funded by the parish. This investment provides the information and planning framework needed to make informed decisions about our campus for years to come.
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How long will the process take?The site survey will take place during the summer months, and the Campus Master Plan is expected to be completed by December 2026.
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Who is overseeing the project?The project has been approved by the Parish Pastoral Council, Finance Council, and Diocese of Charlotte.
Our core team for this project includes Fr. Richard Sutter, Pastor; Andy Albritton, Lay Parochial Associate; Dr. Matt Zban, Pastoral Council Chair; Catherine Walsh, Finance Council Chair; and Pastoral Council members Jim Whitaker and Benne Hutson. We are grateful for the professional expertise and diocesan experience that Jim and Benne bring to this effort. Jim's extensive experience in architecture, together with Benne's legal expertise, are helping guide this important process.
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What happens after the master plan is completed?The completed plan will serve as a roadmap for future decision-making. It will help parish leaders evaluate potential projects, prioritize future needs, and make informed stewardship decisions. Some recommendations may be pursued in the near future, while others may not be needed.
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How can I support this effort?Please keep the planning team, our parish leadership, and this entire process in your prayers. We ask the Holy Spirit to guide our discernment so that every decision supports the mission of St. Gabriel: to be and to make disciples of Christ.
Designated financial gifts to provide for the investment in a campus master plan would be a great blessing. Contact Andy Albritton, Lay Parochial Associate, with questions. (link to Andy’s email)
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