Building Campaign

The Church of the Nativity, led by Msgr. Steven Otellini, is a growing parish of over 1,200 members who live in Menlo Park and nine nearby communities. The church continues to attract both young and old, supporting programs and activities for a diverse, religious community. Referred to as the “Jewel of the Peninsula,” the church itself has been in use since 1872. The architecture of the church is an excellent example of the American Gothic Revival movement and has been so recognized through its placement on the National Register of Historic Places. The Church of the Nativity is a community of faith, reflecting the life and mission of the broader Church. The church is the only one in the area providing 24-hour access and Eucharistic adoration. Additionally, the church and its assembly buildings and rectory with in-residence priests are a resource for the community through administering the Sacraments, counseling, education and community involvement.

Nativity Church underwent a $2.5M renovation in 1997, which addressed seismic retrofitting, reroofing and other infrastructure upgrades. In 2004, Nativity replaced its HVAC system. The goals of Phase II will be to expand the Sacristy and add counter and storage space as well as stabilizing the floor, strengthening the altar platform and updating the fire protection system. Also, the church interior will be refinished, a new PA system installed, the altar refurbished, and additional seismic bracing and preservation of the stained glass Rose Window is planned. Finally, the church road entrance will be modified to allow proper fire truck access, improve traffic flow, add parking to eliminate the necessity of dangerous street parking, and provide handicap drop-off to assist the aging population. These modifications, which are planned for a June 2007 kick-off, are expected to total $1.27M, with the Church modifications set at $810K, and site work at $460K.

Phase III: New classrooms at Nativity School

In June 2008, we hope to begin construction ofa new classroom wing on the site of a vacant Convent building. These new classrooms will replace 20 year-old portable buildings which, like the Kindergarten, are at the end of their useful life and certification period. Activities served by these rooms will be science, computer lab, the library, the art room and an extended care center. Additionally, a reading resource center will be added, along with an administrative conference center. The cost for this replacement of the temporary modular building facilities with permanent facilities is slightly over $6M, which includes $2.64M for construction of the new 7,714 square foot classroom wing, $900K for renovations to the older school which include updating of the classrooms, elimination of remaining asbestos mastic, provide ADA-compliant doors, new lighting and school security. Site work, which includes the demolition and removal of existing facilities, creation of new play courts, parking improvements and creation of a weather- protected arcade, is forecast to be $2.5M.

Phase IV: New multi-purpose meeting facility for Nativity Church

The fourth and last phase of this program, scheduled for the June 2009-2011 timeframe, will replace the 2000 square-foot O’Hare Center with a seismic-safe, multi-purpose, dividable 5,275 square foot building, equipped with kitchen facilities and space for the relocation of the Church’s administrative offices from the rectory. The new hall will blend more harmoniously with the Victorian Gothic church and will be able to accommodate slightly over 300 users and host 144 for dinners and celebrations. Movement of the administration offices from the rectory will allow it to serve solely as a residence for the four priests currently in residence. In developing this new hall, an existing garage structure will be relocated to an area adjoining the rectory, and a new pedestrian plaza will be built to accommodate post-service assemblies and offer a quiet reflection location.

The cost for this development is $2.73M, with construction costs (including garage relocation) planned at $2.33M and site work budgeted at $400K.

Overall status: Funding of this multi-phased project is currently ongoing. A number of generous parishioners have pledged support and fundraising is underway. The Church and school are requesting both outright lead grants as well as grants to serve as the basis of matching. Naming opportunities are also available should such an option be desirable. The Church of the Nativity and Nativity school are part of the Archdiocese of San Francisco, and are non-profit entities. Appropriate certifications are available upon request.