By Taylor J. Hale
Reporter

STEVENS POINT — A substantial addition to the Holy Spirit Parish campus is set to break ground on May 19 at 1:30 p.m.

The group is working with Ellis Construction to build the Holy Spirit Parish Center, located next to the St. Stanislaus Kostka Church. The project is set to be completed by early 2020.

“We are putting on a very large addition with an office suite, gathering space, large multi-purpose room, and library, and that area will connect directly as a second church entrance as well,” said Holy Spirit Administrative Assistant Lee Olsen.

The student-based parish offers Catholic students at UW-Stevens Point (UWSP) and Mid-State Technical College a place to study their faith and worship. Holy Spirit first opened in 2015 when St. Stanislaus Kostka Parish and Newman University Parish teamed up to offer young Catholics an opportunity to grow collectively as a community.

“Right now we have two facilities,” Olsen explained.

“We have a rectory office right next door to the church, and the Newman owned Campus Ministry Center. So we have staff in two locations right now.”

The new addition will further bridge the gap between the two organizations and their mission to provide an active ministry presence for students in the area. Olsen and her peers see the new addition as a significant step for the Catholic community in Portage County.

“I think by showing a vibrant, positive Catholic church, willing to grow and make changes, even in the midst of all the negativity we hear about the church — this is a very positive step forward.”

The upcoming addition follows the 100th anniversary of the St. Stanislaus Kostka Parish which took place last year.

Holy Spirit Parish is located at 838 Fremont St.

To learn more about Holy Spirit Parish and their activities in the community visit: https://holyspiritstevenspoint.org.

Contact Taylor J. Hale at [email protected] with Portage County news and information.