St. Gall in Elburn celebrates completion of new church with Dedication Mass

ELBURN – St. Gall Catholic Church’s new site has been a long time in the making, so the Dedication Mass on June 11 was a joyful celebration of many plans, prayers and hard work come to fruition.

Construction on the 18,000-square-foot complex on 30 acres at 43W885 Hughes Road in Elburn began in May 2016, but according to Darlene Briggs, parish secretary and director of communications, the parish had begun to think about the need for a new building more than 20 years ago.

The former church at 120 W. Shannon St. in Elburn was built in 1925, and could accommodate 225 worshippers in its sanctuary.

The new sanctuary is designed to seat 400 worshippers, with additional space allowing for expansion up to 700, as the need arises. With new families moving into the area and additional growth in Blackberry Creek – and soon in Elburn Station – St. Gall seems to be prepared for the future.

The new building includes an open and welcoming gathering space, eight classrooms for religious education, multi-functional meeting rooms, a parish library, and offices for the parish staff. Off-street parking is a welcome addition.

Although the new church features many modern improvements, the design was created to provide continuity with the original church, explained Christopher DiTomo, St. Gall’s pastor.

In a blending of old and new, the stained glass windows from the former church were re-leaded and hang in the new sanctuary, as do the refurbished depictions of the Stations of the Cross.

Bishop David J. Malloy of the Rockford Diocese performed the Dedication Mass, as well as the blessing and consecration of the building.

The ceremony began before the bishop entered the building, with the symbolic transfer of ownership by the parishioners involved in the planning handing over a set of the blueprints to him.

The church was filled to capacity, with parishioners and honored guests that included priests from neighboring churches, members of the Marquette Assembly of the Knights of Columbus, and a number of altar servers to assist with sacred rituals.

The sacred rituals interspersed throughout the Mass – from the blessing and sprinkling of water on the people and the walls of the church; depositing the relic of Saint Maria Goretti inside the altar; anointing the altar and the church walls with the Sacred Chrism; and the burning of incense and lighting of the altar – emphasized the solemnity of the occasion.

Once the bishop had given the final blessing, the people poured into the gathering space to celebrate this momentous milestone.

Cloth tablecloths, fresh flowers and plenty of food welcomed those present to the celebration.

Parishioner Andrea Luehring, whose 13-year-old son, Timmy, was one of the altar servers for the Mass, said her hope is that the new church will bring more families into the parish. She said she prays that the next generation will continue what was started there.

A Farewell Mass will take place at 3 p.m. June 25 at the former church on Shannon Street. After the Mass, there will be a barbecue, followed by a pilgrimage walk to carry the Blessed Sacrament to the new church on Hughes Road, for anyone wishing to participate.

For more information, visit the church’s facebook page or call 630-365-6030.