Sts. Simon and Jude Catholic Church nears completion of Phase 1 renovation

THE WOODLANDS, Texas -- For some churches it would take a miracle to bring about the renovation being undertaken by Sts. Simon and Jude Catholic Church. The make-over is equal to, if not greater than, the initial ground-breaking some thirty-five years ago.

“We feel blessed to be able to make these changes that will better accommodate our parishioners,” said their Director of Communications, Madelaine Kuns Bruschini.

The renovation isn’t just pouring a little concrete to provide additional parking. A little over a year ago, Phase 1 Part A was started, which included completely renovating the existing church’s sanctuary...installing additional seating with arched new curved pews, providing an overflow seating area, a Bride’s Room, risers for the choir, and even some aesthetic touches to include a marble Baptismal font, and a magnificent crucifix from Italy.

Phase 1 Part B is now underway. After an extensive observation of the traffic flow when mass and other services are held, and observing how other area churches handled their traffic flow, the overcrowded parking issue has been resolved with a 447-space parking lot that will be available for use August 1. Additionally, a road now encircles the church, adjacent buildings, and the new parking lot. The original parking lot has been relegated for handicapped parking only, the second entrance/exit has not only been relocated but widened, and a third wide entrance/exit relocated. All three accesses are connected to the ‘ring’ road around the complex. The infrastructure is designed to more evenly distribute the flow of traffic entering and exiting during peak periods. Parishioners will no longer have to bless themselves when trying to navigate in and out of the parking lots.

Part B will also include a multi-purpose event center, a central cooling plant, reforestation, and gardens.

“Our current facilities were not only too small for the growth of our congregation, but not in compliance with current fire and safety codes,” said Bruschini. “All the original buildings are now up to current codes.”

The 20,000 square foot multi-purpose center will conform to the highest building codes, will be energy-efficient, and cost-effective to maintain. It will house a commercial grade kitchen, a performance stage, and the gymnasium/event hall will have seating capacity for 800. Adjacent classrooms will accommodate 75 each. The architectural firm of Jackson/Ryan Associates, has ensured that the new facilities match the aesthetics of the original church and surrounding buildings by matching the brick facade and walkways.

Just since 2010, the parish has grown by 1200 families (from 3900 to 4300), and with the current growth spurt in South Montgomery County, Sts. Simon and Jude Parish, is positioning the church to accommodate the influx expected within the next year, partly as a result of the ExxonMobil relocation to their new international headquarters almost exactly eight miles south; four miles ‘as the crow flies.’

The church’s intention is to have the event center, and even the reforestation of the grounds and gardens, completed in time to welcome new parishioners relocating to the area. The general contractor, Brookstone Construction, is on track to meet targeted deadlines for completion. This will bring Phase 1 to fruition, and Phase 2 will ensue. Two different master plans are being considered for the next phase.

Even the church’s website has been renovated and re-launched. The site is both comprehensive and extensive for a church website.

“It’s new, innovative, and sets us apart not only from other catholic parishes regionally, but also nationally,” said Bruschini.

Sts. Simon and Jude Catholic Church is located at 26777 Glen Loch Drive in The Woodlands (77381). Reverend Patrick Garrett is the church’s pastor providing the spiritual guidance for the parish. For more information about Sts. Simon and Jude Catholic Church, contact Madelaine Kuns Bruschini, the Director of Communications, via phone or email provided. To read more about the parish visit their website at the link contained here within.