Construction begins for school and center
Construction of the new St. Mary Chinese School in San Francisco began to take solid form in February with the arrival of a large steel shipment and the raising of columns and beams. St. Mary’s Chinese School and Center has started the final phase of building its new schools and Center at the corner of Jackson and Kearny Street (site of the old International Hotel) in the heart of Chinatown.
Paulist Father Daniel McCotter of St. Mary’s Chinese Mission said, “The community, alumni, business, foundations and the Archdiocese of San Francisco have been heavily involved in raising over 17 million dollars for this complex of classrooms (K-8), science lab, gymnasium, library, courtyard garden, play yard and ample space for language school and a center for low to moderate immigrants in need of social and spiritual guidance.”
He added, “With 10 million dollars needed to complete the final phase, we are working tirelessly with our new Development Office and Committee, under the leadership of Katherine King, Development Director. The completion of construction is scheduled for January 2011. Ongoing construction can be seen via webcam at www.stmaryschinese.org.
With the new school structure at 836 Kearney St. scheduled to open in 2011, St. Mary’s will continue a nearly century-long tradition of Catholic school teaching in the Chinese community, and renew the Church’s presence among children, parents and seniors in the nearby senior housing complex. The new building will house the Chinese language school and the Chinese Catholic grammar school.
When completed, the new St. Mary’s Chinese School and Center will have nearly 50,000 square feet of space. The project has been one requiring patience and dedication on the part of backers. In Phase I of the long-term project, the archdiocese financed a 150-space underground parking garage, while the St. Mary’s capital fund paid for the foundation and first floor of the school and center. Phase II is the completed 105-unit senior housing complex built with federal and local housing funds. Phase III, now underway, completes the project with the remaining four floors of the school and center.
For more information, visit www.stmaryschinese.org and click on Capital Campaign.
From March 5, 2010 issue of Catholic San Francisco.
