Growing In Faith Campaign

The “Growing in Faith” Campaign built upon the theme of the 1994 “Move of Faith”, which was so successful in moving the Lockport Catholic Schools into our present building. This expansion project, driven by our strong student enrollment, was publicly launched in February 2005 when Bishop Edward Kmiec visited DeSales for the first time.

Bishop Kmiec distributes Communion during

Catholic Schools Week mass at DeSales in February 2005

Silvestri Architects PC, was selected to design the new classroom addition, and the Memorial Garden plan was created by Scott Witter and Patricia Cummings-Witter of Witter Designs PC. The Chapel was designed by Sr. Catherine Meuhlbauer, SSMN. After a great deal of planning and preparation on the part of our Administration and Education Council, excavation for the classroom expansion began on May 9, 2005. Click on the link below to see the architect's drawings for the addition, and the Garden design, as well as photos from before, during, and after the work by R. B. Mac Construction in the summer of 2005.

Students are now comfortably settled into the three new classrooms on the first floor, and the Memorial Garden was installed by Oakhurst Designs during the summer of 2006. We are now completeing the final phase of the expansion. This involves completion of the Chapel, and putting the finishing touches on the three "bonus" basement classrooms. The Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Chapel, named by the Costello family to honor the late Sr. Judy Russell, is used regularly by students and faculty, and is awaiting the arrival of a few final elements.

The Honorary Chairman of the Growing in Faith Campaign was sportscaster John Murphy, DHS '74. Campaign co-chairmen were DeSales parents Jeff Schratz and Louis Surace. We are so thankful for the leadership shown by these three community leaders in bringing a successful completion to our project. Catholic education has always been highly valued in the Lockport community, and we are very proud that so many friends are generous in giving back to DeSales. Use the link below to see how you can honor a friend or family member with a permanent gift in the Garden or the Seton Chapel.

Bishop Kmiec distributes Communion during

Catholic Schools Week mass at DeSales in February 2005

Sixth grade students get acquainted in one of the

new classrooms on the first day of school, Sept. 2005.

John Beilein '71, and John Murphy '74 met many DeSales

friends at the Good Sports Fundraiser in June 2005.