Renovation continues at McGivney Hall, support still needed

Rector of Bishop White Seminary and Cor Christ, Father Daniel Barnett points to the framing of new rooms inside McGivney Hall in Spokane on Mar. 2, 2023. (Photo: Grant Whitty, Inland Catholic)

While Cor Christi’s McGivney Hall renovations continue to make headway, the project still needs more funding before a new class of first-year seminarians are cleared to occupy the building this fall.

Bishop White Seminary acquired the old Mater Dei building just north of Gonzaga’s campus last year. The acquisition was a strategic response to Pope Francis’ call for seminaries to build a propaedeutic year program for men discerning the priesthood. Once initial funding was acquired and permits passed, demolition and asbestos abatement began in November 2022. Since the fall, contractors have been busy roughing in new plumbing and electricity while framing rooms for the new floor plan.

The new floor plan will add more common space for seminarians, office and living space for the rector, updated bathrooms, kitchen, dining, and classrooms. As each room continues to be framed, time inches closer to the prospected opening later this year.

“Phases one through three have already been fully funded, totaling about 2.3 million dollars,” the rector of Bishop White Seminary and Cor Christi, Father Daniel Barnett said. “What we are going for right now is occupancy by the fall. To get to that, we will need about another $650,000.”

The building project is currently on track and will continue to be on track if support continues to come in. According to Father Barnett, many men are already signed up for the next class at Cor Christi and, hopefully, the first year in McGivney Hall. He is hopeful that more men will continue to sign up since it is early in the year.

Please click here to support the continued construction of Cor Christi’s McGivney Hall.