The Catholic Diocese of Fort Worth plans to invest $50 million over a decade to add parishes and schools and renovate and expand existing ones to help accommodate the growing number of worshippers.
The number of Roman Catholics in the diocese is expected to increase from 710,000 to 1.2 million by 2030, making it one of the fastest-growing in the country.Stretching across 24,000 square miles, the diocese covers 28 counties, including Tarrant, Denton, Wise, Parker and Johnson."We're experiencing a lot of growth, which is exciting," said Peter Flynn, vice chancellor for administrative services. "We're bucking the trends of other dioceses across much of the country."Within 18 years, the diocese will need to add as many as 14 parishes to handle the influx of Catholics, according to a study by Meitler Consultants of Wisconsin, which specializes in strategic planning for churches. The diocese now has 89 parishes.New churches could include one in Denton for students at the University of North Texas and Texas Woman's University and one in far north Fort Worth to relieve overcrowding at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church in Keller.Diocese officials say they prefer to build relatively small churches and cap parish membership at 2,000, allowing the churches to maintain a community atmosphere.Under the plan, churches including Christ the King Parish and San Mateo Mission in Fort Worth will be expanded or renovated. St. Thomas the Apostle in Fort Worth will move from Azle Avenue to the Marine Creek area.The current facility, built in 1937, seats only 220 people. With 1,200 members, it must offer five Masses every weekend, and many members must watch on a closed-circuit television outside the sanctuary, the Rev. Antony Mathew said."The building is very old, and we are out of space," Mathew said. "With a new building, we could welcome even more members."The church has raised just short of $1 million. It hopes to start construction within a few years.Meitler also recommended that the diocese add six schools to the current 19.The diocese bought 60 acres in the Alliance corridor for a potential high school and is studying other fast-growing areas, Flynn said."Catholic education has always been a mainstay of the Catholic Church," he said."There are a lot of parents who want the opportunity for their children to be educated in a Catholic environment."As part of the expansion, the diocese also plans to build an administrative office, at an estimated cost of $11.6 million, in downtown Fort Worth about a block south of St. Patrick Cathedral on Lancaster Avenue. The building would relieve overcrowding at the current 27-year-old facility at West Loop 820 and White Settlement Road, Flynn said.Sarah Bahari, 817-390-7056Have more to add? News tip? Tell us
