Far North Peoria Catholic church moves ahead with expansion

A fast-growing Far North Peoria Catholic church is looking to expand to include, among other things, a new school for elementary and middle school students.

St. Jude Catholic Church could move ahead with the first phase of its expansion project if the City Council approves a zoning request Feb. 28. The city's zoning commission unanimously recommended on Thursday that the council to approve the zoning change to allow the church expansion at 10811 N. Knoxville Ave.

"I think we're excited about the direction the city is giving us," the Rev. Patrick Henehan, pastor at St. Jude, said after the meeting.

During the commission's hearing, church officials questioned why it was necessary for the city to require bike trails and sidewalks along Wilhelm Road and Knoxville Road, when there were no bike trails or sidewalks connecting to the church's grounds. Also, they asked to remove a provision requiring them to get Peoria County approval to make changes along Wilhelm Road.

Commissioners voted not to require the church to meet those requirements during the first phase of its three-phase project. The requirements might be re-visited in future years.

The council has the final decision.

"We'll support them and do what (we) can on the city side," 5th District City Councilman Dan Irving, who represents the area, said.

The first phase includes a $3.6 million expansion of the church's grounds to include a gymnasium, cafeteria, classrooms for elementary and middle school grades, outdoor sports fields, and a parking lot expansion.

Henehan said about $3.5 million has been raised, though he thinks about $4 million might be needed to complete it.

If the council endorses the zoning request, a ground breaking could take place in May or June. The school could be open by the start of the 2013 school year.

According to a video posted in December on the church's website, Henehan said the first phase's aim is to provide gym and social space for the school and parish, additional classrooms and a space for the St. Vincent de Paul food pantry.

"The new facility will enable use to meet these three goals," Henehan, St. Jude's pastor, said in the video.

The church community has swelled from 550 families in 2007 to 999 families today.

The school also has grown, from 45 students to 110 in pre-kindergarten to fourth grade. Projections are for 126 students next year, with the fifth grade being added.

Henehan said despite the growth, he doesn't anticipate the school becoming "huge" in comparison to other local Catholic schools. The school, once built, will host about 240 students. St. Vincent de Paul, for instance, has a kindergarten to eighth-grade enrollment of 445 students.

"We want to provide people in the area with Catholic education," Henehan said. "I don't see us becoming too big too quickly."

The project's second phase includes a social hall, school library and music rooms, classrooms for preschool and kindergarten, a concession stand/restrooms, and gazebo. It would be built three to five years from now.

A third phase includes either the construction of a new parking lot or two buildings for rectory or convent housing. That portion would be constructed in 10 to 15 years.

John Sharp can be reached at 686-3282 or jsharp@pjstar.com. Follow him on Twitter @JohnSharp99.

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Far North Peoria Catholic church moves ahead with expansion