Renovations begin at Cor Christi’s McGivney Hall
Bishop White Seminarian, Evan MacKenzie, of the Archdiocese of Seattle, lends a hand in the demolition, at the old Mater Dei Convent in Spokane, on Nov. 20, 2022. (PHOTO: Grant Whitty/Inland Catholic)
The repeating sound of sledgehammers hitting concrete could be heard from the street corner of N Astor and E Sinto, just a couple blocks north of Gonzaga University’s campus Monday morning. Inside, contractors and seminarians from Bishop White Seminary were all smiles as they knocked down multiple walls and tore apart cabinets in the old Mater Dei Convent.
Under the supervision of contractors, seminarians from Bishop White and Cor Christi donned hard hats and began demolition. According to Father Daniel Barnett, rector of the seminary, the destruction was a healthy way for the men to take a break from their studies and “relieve some stress.”
Although Demo Day served as a field trip for the seminarians, it was also highly practical for the following stages of construction. In the following weeks, crews will enter the building to abate the asbestos, a significant bridge between old and new construction.
In a past life, the convent was housed by local Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary and was later sold off. Recently, Bishop White Seminary acquired the building. To transform the space into a home for the new Propaedeutic Year program, Cor Christi, launched earlier this year.
The convent, now known as McGivney Hall, is named after Blessed Michael McGivney, an Irish-American priest and the founder of the Knights of Columbus. More formal renovations should begin within the following weeks, with a goal of completion for the next class of Cor Christi men next fall.
To see mockups of the new building, visit the website or attend the special event on Dec. 1, 2022. At the event, attendees can get an exclusive tour of McGivney Hall, converse with the men of Cor Christi over drinks and hors-d'œuvres, and pray Vespers with the community. All are welcome; RSVP is required.
