Our Lady of Victory Parish and John F. Kennedy Catholic School’s building project came to an end in December. The $3.4 million building project was the culmination of a multiple-year discernment process and a $2.4 million capital campaign, “Growing Our Faith…Shaping Generations.”
The building project included a 5,000-square-foot gathering space addition to the church and a permanent baptismal font inside the church. “The gathering space is incredible,” said Chad Steimle, principal of John F. Kennedy Catholic School. “The students were in awe as if they were truly entering sacred space” during the first all-school Mass after construction was completed.
Across the parking lot, which will be completely resurfaced in late spring, a new entryway and school and faith formation offices were built. Four new classrooms, including a larger band/music room, restrooms and a staff room were added. An addition was added to the south end of the building to better accommodate daycare services, and three interior rooms were remodeled into classrooms.
The timing of the school’s additions could not have been better. JFK is experiencing its seventh consecutive increase in K-8 enrollment. With more than 365 K-8 students and 96 students in pre-school, JFK is the third largest Catholic school in the Diocese of Davenport.
