After months of preparation and planning, phase one of construction to upgrade Denver’s St. John Vianney Theological Seminary is well under way. Last May workers emptied the 86-year-old brick building at 1300 S. Steele St. in south Denver, and began demolition and removing asbestos. Then during the week of Nov. 18, they began replacing the building’s antiquated plumbing, electrical and heating systems; as well as installing new windows, air conditioning, and safety features such as a sprinkler system.
Renovations were made possible thanks to the generosity of 19,000 households in the Denver Archdiocese pledging to A New Harvest, the first-ever, archdiocesan-wide capital campaign for the two seminaries: St. John Vianney and Redemptoris Mater Archdiocesan Missionary Seminary next door. The campaign aimed to raise $35 million—$9 million for capital repairs and $26 million for an endowment to help cover operating expenses for years to come.
About $42 million was pledged and $16 million has been collected, according to Deacon Steve Stemper, president and CEO of The Catholic Foundation of Northern Colorado, who collects and manages the funds on behalf of the seminaries.
Currently about $5 million in pledges are past due, Stemper said. To make a donation or pledge, call 1-888-754-1470 or email hgoldwire@thecatholicfoundation.com.
