Father David Carrano of Sacred Heart Catholic Church was approached by a parishioner in 2018 who was moved to make a major donation to the church. This donation would provide a second worship space attached to the main church to create a closer,  more intimate relationship with Jesus. Nearly 15 months later, the finished project was unveiled to both the parish and the community of Reedsburg, Wisconsin with the dedication of Our Lady of Refuge Adoration Chapel on September 22, 2019.

The project planning began in the Fall of 2018 with the selection of Architectural Design Consultants, Inc. (ADCI) of Lake Delton, Wisconsin as the architect for the addition. A number of project goals were identified including how to match the adjacent 50-year-old church, how to incorporate new handicapped-accessible restrooms to meet the needs of the congregation, and how to provide 24-hour access to the new chapel while allowing the main church to close during the evenings. Once preliminary plans were developed, Friede & Associates was selected to join the team in February 2019.

“We were excited to participate in Sacred Heart’s growth as Friede & Associates had constructed the original church building nearly 50 years ago.”

—Roger Friede, President

Both budgeting and scheduling quickly became the project team’s main focus. The project’s schedule had two major hurdles: completing construction while the church and adjacent school remained open, all in time for the church’s 50th-anniversary celebration in November 2019. With these project goals clearly identified, the plans were completed and put out for bids in late March, with the final construction team assembled in mid-April.

The building site was tight and the 1,473-square-foot wood-framed chapel was designed to utilize all the available space. The new addition includes the chapel area with a 40-person seating capacity, two handicapped-accessible restrooms, and a maintenance area.

Despite the challenges associated with a smaller job site, the project moved quickly with site work, footings, and foundations being placed by early June. Under-slab mechanicals were then installed for mid-June concrete slab placement. A panelized wall system was utilized to maximize the available space at the construction site and serve as a cost-saving solution for the church’s budget. The panelized wall system was assembled off-site and installed by July 4th, allowing for the interior mechanical build-out to begin.

Throughout the summer, progress on the project suffered delays by record amounts of rain across southern Wisconsin. Our team’s project management and creative scheduling ultimately allowed work to continue despite losing the equivalent of more than two weeks’ work due to inclement weather. 

Once conditions improved at the end of July, the exterior stonework commenced and one of the two signature stained glass windows were installed. The stained glass windows provide a link to the church's history, as both came from the late 1800s and early 1900s, and were part of the church's former location. In addition to these two features, parts of an altar from the convent of the church were also incorporated into the new chapel.

Progress in August included continued work on interior finishes, exterior site work and the installation of the second stained glass window in the entryway of the chapel. Metal panel roofing was installed in early September. Final interior finishes, doors, hardware, and flooring were completed in time for the dedication ceremony held by Diocese of Madison Bishop Donald Hying on Sunday, September 22, 2019. 

Throughout the project, which took just over four months to construct, proud and inquisitive members of the congregation and community visited the site to witness the development of this beautiful addition. The Friede & Associates construction contract totaled $440,000 and our crews self-performed nearly half of the project including concrete, carpentry, and interior specialties. ADCI's creative and attractive design perfectly incorporated the new chapel with the historic church to create a true project of distinction. This new worship space will serve not only Sacred Heart Catholic Church but also the community of Reedsburg, Wisconsin for many years to come.

This project was recognized by Associated Builders and Contractors of Wisconsin as a 2019 Project of Distinction.

About Friede & Associates:

When you select Friede & Associates, you are buying more than our quality-assured construction services. You also get the performance and reliability of some of the top suppliers and subcontractors in the area. While other contractors may be cutting quality to remain competitive on price, Friede is forging relationships with members of the project team to bring you the best value and highest quality for your investment.