Beloved Disciple offers hope for bright future

Two skylights direct natural light to the altar.
By LINDA M. LINONIS
VINDICATOR RELIGION EDITOR
GROVE CITY, Pa. -- Monsignor Edward Zeitler describes the new Church of the Beloved Disciple as "a welcoming church meeting the needs of all its people."
The new $2.2 million structure, situated on 13 acres a short distance west of Grove City on Pa. Route 208, is just that. There is room to grow on the 10 acres donated by Grove City Knights of Columbus and the other three the church acquired, the pastor said.
The church features a simple, elegant and contemporary design; the old church is of Gothic design. An airy feeling is prominent as one goes through an entryway into the spacious gathering place. "This space at the other church is quite small," Monsignor Zeitler said.
Large windows at either side of the space contribute more light. The space lends itself naturally to fellowship and socializing after the Mass.
From the gathering space, there is access to other areas including the day chapel, an office, sacristy and restrooms. The day chapel offers space for up to 35 people for daily Mass, Monsignor Zeitler said. The new church also has a parent-child area, which offers a clear view into the sanctuary, and a reconciliation room.
As people enter the sanctuary, a baptismal font commands a prominent spot. The limestone structure features a metal design fashioned by metalworker Evan Everhart of Erie, Pa., Monsignor Zeitler said.
Two skylights lend natural illumination to the 80-by-80-foot sanctuary, and a stream of light showcases the altar. "The divine architect must have had a hand in that," Monsignor Zeitler said.
Victor King of Crowner King Architects of Erie said he would like to claim that design. He acknowledged the skylights weren't positioned to offer such light, but they do. King can take credit for the design of the church, whose ceiling soars to 35 feet. Wooden beams and planks form the ceiling, giving it a regal and breathtaking appearance.
The new sanctuary is generally square in shape while the old church is rectangular. The oak pews are lined up in just 10 rows, in various groupings of longer and shorter pews, and some angled. The arrangement allows for wider aisles and easy accessibility.
"It brings everyone closer to the altar," Monsignor Zeitler said. "It seats 450 including a choir of 35. The old church could hold 250 ... snug."
Incorporating the old
The pastor noted that the memory of the old church will continue in some treasured pieces that were moved to the new church. The right side of the sanctuary features wooden statues of Mary and Joseph from the old church.
Ten stained-glass windows, the center panels accented by religious symbols, were removed from the old church, he said. Pittsburgh Stained Glass refurbished the windows, which lend a colorful piece of heritage to the sanctuary.
"We wanted to use some local artisans," Monsignor Zeitler said. Chris Tyner of Neshannock Woods in nearby Leesburg, Pa., handcrafted the altar, lectern and chair from wood from blueprints from liturgical designer Mario Locsin of Miami Beach, Fla.
Twelve rectangular plaques signifying the 12 Apostles detail the altar while the lectern mirrors that design in four plaques for Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. The plaque for John, the beloved disciple and church namesake, is designated by a cross.
The large wooden cross behind the altar also was crafted by Tyner from a Locsin design. Tyner also updated Beloved Disciple's unique Stations of the Cross, which are hand-painted on copper with borders of gold leaf and reframed in Pennsylvania hardwoods.
Project's evolution
The pastor said he has never been involved in such a big project, and called this one his "swan song." The monsignor has been a priest for 48 years, coming to Beloved Disciple in 1997.
"In 1996, the diocese and parish had done a vitality study," he said. "It was to appraise what people wanted. The results showed our congregation wanted air conditioning, a youth minister and handicap accessibility," he said. The old church also faced a tight parking situation; now there is plenty of space.
Monsignor Zeitler also mentioned the priest shortage, noting the space allows for more people to attend fewer Masses. The church has Masses at 5:15 p.m. Saturdays and 8 and 10:30 a.m. Sundays, a manageable schedule for one priest. There are 650 registered families in the parish, up 35 families since he became pastor.
Groundbreaking took place June 12, 2005, and the dedication is planned at the 5:15 p.m. Mass on Saturday. Bishop Donald W. Trautman will participate.
Funding
The building project was funded in part by a capital fund drive in the Diocese of Erie in the late 1990s. Each parish had a challenge goal and any money above that figure would go parish use. "Some of the money came from there and parishioners were involved in a three-year pledge program," Monsignor Zeitler said. "We also had a lot of fundraisers: a car raffle, apple dumpling sale and aluminum recycling," he said. "We also had challenge goals: $150,000 and $100,000 given by groups of individuals who challenged other parishioners to match it; they did and more," Zeitler said.
The building project will continue with educational building ($565,000), administration building ($226,000) and social center with seating for 500 people ($1.2 million).