Building Access for All: A New Elevator for Our Parish School

Our parish school, proudly serving generations of families since its construction in 1961, has long been a place of learning, faith, and community. As we continue to grow and reflect on our mission, we are called to ensure that our facilities fully welcome and serve every member of our parish community. One important step in that effort is improving accessibility throughout our school building.

Currently, access to the upper floors of our school is limited for individuals with mobility challenges. This creates barriers for students, parents, staff, and visitors who may rely on accessible features to fully participate in school life. In keeping with the principles of inclusion and dignity for all, we are exploring the addition of an elevator to provide access in accordance with ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) standards.

Installing an elevator in a building originally constructed over six decades ago presents both challenges and opportunities. While the structure was not designed with modern accessibility needs in mind, advancements in engineering and thoughtful planning now make it possible to retrofit older buildings in ways that preserve their character while improving functionality. This project would allow all members of our Catholic parish and school communities—regardless of physical ability—to move freely and safely throughout the school.

Beyond compliance with accessibility standards, this initiative reflects our deeper values as a faith-based community. We believe that every individual is created with inherent dignity and deserves equal access to education, worship, and community life. An elevator is more than a mechanical addition; it is a visible commitment to hospitality, inclusion, and care for one another.

We recognize that such a project requires careful planning, financial investment, and community support. In the coming months, we will be evaluating design options, costs, experts and potential funding strategies to ensure that the project meets both practical needs and our shared vision.

We invite you to join us in this important effort. Whether through your ideas, prayers, or support, your involvement will help make our parish school more accessible and welcoming for all—now and for generations to come. Please contact Fr. Don at frdonrooney@stbernpar.org for more information.

Together, we can continue to build a faithful community where everyone can participate and belong.