Support Critical Repairs at St. John Cassian Chapel

Dear Friends and Supporters of St. John Cassian Orthodox Chapel,

In December of 2020 the community of St. John Cassian purchased an old church building located at 1731 13th St. North, in the McNeil Park neighborhood of Bessemer, Alabama, and began renovations the following year. When we moved in and began worshiping in the new temple during Great Lent of 2022, we were overjoyed at beginning this new chapter in the life of our mission. Our previous fundraiser, which was undertaken to raise funds to construct an iconostasis for the beautification of the new temple and to make it suitable for Orthodox worship, was completed during Great Lent of this year. However, we have experienced significant set-backs, including many repairs that we paid for as part of the renovation either being done improperly, or simply not done at all, and have been struggling to correct the numerous issues that have arisen. For example, last year, following a catastrophic plumbing failure after Holy Pascha, we had to take on $20,000 in debt to have new sewer lines put in, which was supposed to have been done by our contractor as part of the initial renovation, but was not. By God’s grace, through the intercessions of St. John, and in no small part from the generosity of our friends and donors inside and outside the parish, and through wise stewardship, that loan, which was originally contracted for 10 years, has been paid off in just under 18 months. However, we have recently discovered two significant issues that require immediate attention: a leaking roof over the rear addition and a sinking foundation under the corner of the fellowship hall. The latter was likely caused by the excavation for the new sewer line that had to be repaired last year.

While these immediate repairs are essential, our aim is not just to patch them but to make long-term fixes that will ensure the chapel's sustainability and structural integrity for years to come. Our vision includes a total reconstruction of the fellowship hall, a new roof system, new gutters, finishing the upstairs with a permanent Sunday School room for the children, a large flex-use space, a small room with an ensuite bathroom for temporary lodging, and a larger space for the parish library, as well repairing the sidewalks that had to be partially destroyed to fix the sewer, and with a re-engineered side handicap access. To achieve these goals, we are currently in the process of obtaining quotes for steel building structures. We estimate that we will need at least $100,000 to begin this comprehensive project, and we will be doing as much of the work ourselves as can be done safely and legally.

In a remarkable act of generosity, an anonymous donor who has previously supported small Orthodox missions in America, including our friends at St. Herman of Alaska Mission in Show Low, Arizona, has offered to help us reach this goal. They will match every dollar we raise up to $50,000. This means that if we raise $50,000, they will donate an additional $50,000, allowing us to reach our $100,000 target. This matching-funds opportunity is a tremendous blessing and will significantly help us to complete the necessary repairs and improvements. It will also enable us to expand our facilities and enhance our ability to serve the community, launching St. John Cassian Chapel into the next phase of its existence.

We humbly ask for your generous support in this crucial time. Your contributions, no matter the size, will make a profound impact and bring us closer to our goal. Together, we can ensure that our chapel remains a beacon of faith, hope, and love for many years to come.

Thank you for your continued prayers, support, and generosity. May God bless you and your families abundantly.