Building a Church, Securing our Future
Let us share the journey!
So, we’re building a church!
After years of deliberation, prayer, planning and consultation, Father Tony announced Dec. 3, 2025, — on our parish’s 165th anniversary — that he has decided to pursue plans to build a new church to better serve our parishioners now and in the future.
We know you have questions!
There are many steps to this process, including getting diocesan approval to proceed. We want to be completely transparent as we begin this journey, so we will update this page regularly as the planning and work progresses.
You also may sign up to receive email communications sharing news as it happens.
What’s happening now?
(January 2026) We have interviewed six architects and narrowed our pick to three, based largely on their experience building churches, proximity to Medina, and their bandwidth to take on a project of this size. Father Tony will decide which one to pursue.
We are setting up a meeting with officials of the Catholic Diocese of Cleveland to better understand next steps and what information they will require at this stage.
Communications vehicles (like this one!) are being established in order to share information with parishioners as timely and as transparently as possible.
The Church Building Team makeup is finalized, with the addition of parishioners with significant, large-scale building experience who understand the financial and logistical considerations of projects of this scope.
What’s next?
We are working with financial companies to determine the one best able to handle the funding needs for this project.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Why is the parish considering a new church?
The present church was built in 1960 when funds were tight yet there was a critical need for space. It served our congregation’s immediate needs, and we are indebted to those who sacrificed to make it possible. However, it lacks the beauty and functionality we now know is important to adequately serve our community.
Our current building has accessibility challenges for those in wheelchairs, with hearing difficulties, or who struggle with steps. We lack sufficient gathering spaces, offices, meeting rooms, and a rectory suitable for our priests. A new church will provide a more beautiful, welcoming, and functional space for worship and parish life.
2. When will a new church be built?
There are many steps to be accomplished before ground is broken and a finished church is ready to be occupied. We anticipate this could take a number of years to achieve permission, raise the necessary funds and begin construction.
3. Where would a new church be built?
Following a vision initiated decades ago by longtime pastor Father Mark Hollis, Father Tony anticipates building a new church on vacant, parish-owned adjacent land east of the school, near the existing playground.
4. Why can’t we just remodel our existing church?
We explored this option extensively. However, the bottom line is we would spend millions of dollars renovating our church, and still not solve significant problems we encounter daily.
5. What will our new church look like?
The new church design has not been finalized, but the exterior will complement our existing Western Reserve brick architecture. The church interior will be fan-shaped, so that people will not be more than 15 pews from the altar. It will have features like a large gathering space
6. How much will this cost?
There is much yet to be decided, but architects and construction experts estimate the new church will cost about $14 million to $15 million.
Journey Together at St. Francis Xavier Parish
We’re a community discovering authentic peace, lasting purpose, and the true presence of Christ in the Eucharist.
In our worship, in our friendships, and in our service, we strive to reflect the beauty and unity of God’s people.