Parish has no timeline for new church in Springboro

The process began in 2010, but was delayed for a year due to requirements that had to be met since part of the land contains ponds and is considered “wetlands.”

“It has taken a year longer than expected,” Bermick said. “But the issue has been resolved and we are very pleased with the property.

“It’s right in the heart of our fastest growing area,” he continued, adding that the church membership has grown from 300 to more than 900 families since 2005.

Bermick said the church at 115 S. Main Street in Franklin seats 240 people. They conduct five masses on weekends, and “we still can’t fit everyone,” he said.

The new church will seat approximately 1,200 and cost an estimated $4 million. In addition, a new parish center will be built at the site for an estimated cost of $2 million.

A campaign committee is being formed to raise the project’s estimated $6 million total.

“Our next goal is to get enough cash to be able to start construction,” said Bermick, adding that the Archdiocese of Cincinnati requires the church to have at least 75 percent of the loan amount in pledges and 50 percent in cash for it to back the loan.

“We knew this would be a process,” Bermick said. “It wasn’t going to happen all at one time. The project will be done in phases. We already have $1.5 million pledged and we will patiently work on each phase.”

Bermick also stressed the parish is “not leaving” Franklin. It is only changing its location.

“The parish is not moving,” Bermick said. “Only the church is moving. We are still in the same geographic area and have a responsibility to serve the catholic population in that area.

“We have deep roots in Franklin and that made it a very difficult decision,” he continued. “This is just us recognizing where the growth of our parish is and us being where our future needs to be.”

Bermick said the plan is to sell the current church, although it is not currently listed on the market, and use the proceeds to help pay for the new church.

Contact this reporter at (513) 705-2852 or Skip.Weaver@coxinc.com.