Florida Catholic | Our Lady of Victory Enlarges Church For Growing Parish

Our Lady of Victory enlarges church for growing parish

AMY FERRARA SMITH | FLORIDA CATHOLIC STAFF

Published: 04.11.08

Parishioners of Our Lady of Victory Parish in Crestview filled the new church March 30 as Bishop John H. Ricard, SSJ, dedicated the building. Father John Cayer, pastor, right, and Father Richard Altenbaugh, left, concelebrated the ceremony with the assistance of Deacon Ken Mayfield. The parish has been waiting more than a year for the 8,400-square-foot sanctuary, which seats 600 people.
ROB BENNETT | FC

CRESTVIEW | It took more than a year, but the Our Lady of Victory community here was finally able March 30 to congregate in a sanctuary large enough to hold the growing parish.

“It’s a reflection of what is happening to Crestview,” said Father John Cayer, pastor. “The parish is growing on all levels. We have to minister to that growth. That’s the challenge.” Father Cayer said there are about 900 registered families in the parish.

The project began when Father Steve O’Connor served as pastor. He died Feb. 13, 2007, leaving the project unfinished. Father Cayer stepped in as pastor June 2, 2007. He has since strived to finish the expansion of the original church building, which has doubled the seating capacity from 286 to 600 seats.

“It’s roomier,” said Deacon Ken Mayfield. “The inside now looks like a church and not a community center.”

Bishop John H. Ricard, SSJ, blessed the new building at a Mass concelebrated by Father Ricard Altenbaugh and Father Cayer, and assisted by Deacon Mayfield.

“It was quite an impressive ceremony,” said Jane Brim, director of religious education for the parish. “The bishop instructed us about what (the blessing ceremonial procedures) meant. He said everything represents Christ.”

According to Brim, Father Cayer received a standing ovation for his dedication to the completion of the project. Not only was this past year the young priest’s first as a pastor, but also the church addition was his first building project.

“It was frustrating at first, then it was exciting,” he said.

The builder, Buddy Davis, who co-owns Okaloosa Construction with James Willhelm, is a parishioner of Our Lady of Victory. According to Father Cayer, Davis offered to do the job for the right price.

Since the $1.4 million construction project began, Our Lady of Victory Parish has celebrated Mass each Sunday in Crestview High School’s gymnasium. According to Father Cayer, Ed Coleman, principal of the school and a parishioner at Holy Name of Jesus Parish in Niceville, accommodated Our Lady of Victory parishioners each week.

“Last May at the time we had first Communion, we were still in the (Crestview High School) gym,” said Brim. The parents of the children receiving their Communion preferred to have the sacramental event held in a church, and Holy Name of Jesus Parish in Niceville graciously let Our Lady of Victory borrow its sanctuary, she said. This May, Our Lady of Victory Parish will celebrate both sacraments of first Communion and confirmation in its own 8,400-square-foot church.

“It looks different,” said Connie Shreves, director of music ministry for the parish, “but it still feels like home.”

Shreves said the new building, with its wood-planked ceiling, reflects a “beautiful sound.”

“I feel like we can be heard and the people can be served through what we’re doing in the music ministry,” she said.

Even with this expansion, Father Cayer said that his continually growing parish fills the new church.

“This is a 10-year project,” he said. “The pulse of Crestview and the future will demand a larger church.”

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Our Lady of Victory enlarges church for growing parish

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