St. Mary's Waynesville

Phase I – Done!

You may have noticed St. Mary’s has had a facelift. Thanks to generous donations from parishioners and friends of the parish collected over the past two years, the entire wooden shingle facade, together with trim on the building has been replaced. While keeping the same colors, new Hardie board shingles and trim were installed as well as more energy -efficient new windows (including glass block windows on the lower level) by our friends at Clearcreek Custom Builders of Springboro.

In addition the persistent drainage issues that saw flooding in our basement (home of the Waynesville Food Pantry) have been addressed. The concrete walkway leading to the basement has been opened again as well, and a new awning over the door.

For the past decade very few people ever use our front door – although it is always open. Everyone comes in the back door from the parking lot. In recognition of this Clearcreek has installed new, wider, (but still red)! door at the rear of the church to accommodate easier access for both the differently-abled and for all of us.

Phase II is Done!

We have finished renovating the public entry areas of our church with new paint and plaster repairs, new carpeting and new displays, including brass rubbings and 19th century framed, hand-sewn Belgian priest’s vestment in addition to repairing an old altar.

Unless you have visited recently you will not have seen two changes we have made already. Thanks to a generous gift from our friends at Bellbrook United Methodist, St. Mary’s recently received their old Allen organ, while we passed our even older Hammond organ onto a community church in Columbus in need of one. And just above the new organ we have placed a wonderful hand-painted icon of the Virgin Mary based on a 12th century Byzantine original. You can see pictures of both in our Photo Gallery.

Phase III

The final phase of our renovations focus on installing a new, high efficiency heating and cooling system that will take care of the restored St. Mary’s for decades to come; as well as refurbished parking lot, with new asphalt and a new concrete entryway, thanks to a generous grant from our neighbors at the American Legion. We are so grateful!

AND THIS IS WHERE YOU COME IN…

In order to fully accomplish Phases III we need your help and prayers!

For 155 years St. Mary’s has served Waynesville not only as one of Waynesville most visible houses of worship and praise, but as a meeting place ( for family gatherings, AA meetings and other community groups), as the site of our annual community Pancake supper on Shrove Tuesday, and as the home of the Waynesville Food Pantry. Your gift will help enable St. Mary’s to continue to serve Waynesville and Warren County for next 155 years.

You can donate right now through Pay Pal; mail a check made out in care of St. Mary’s to P.O. Box 653, Waynesville, Ohio 45068 ; or better yet, join us on Sunday morning for prayer and drop it in the plate. Any gift, large, small, or enormously generous, is most welcome.