Article
Shine Forth: Building for the Future
by St. John the Divine
Shine Forth: Building for the Future
More than $62 million has now been committed to the Shine Forth Capital Campaign as St. John the Divine prepares to begin a new chapter of campus construction and ministry.
The Rev. Dr. R. Leigh Spruill shares an important update on the Shine Forth Capital Campaign and upcoming construction at St. John the Divine. More than 600 commitments now total over $62 million, bringing the parish very close to fully funding the cost of the project.
With vestry approval, construction documents have been signed with Tellepsen, and pricing for the project is now locked in. The first phase of work, scheduled to begin in November, includes detention work on the Westheimer parking lot, which is expected to continue into early spring 2027.
Groundbreaking Celebration | November 22
The parish will mark this important moment with an official liturgical blessing and groundbreaking on Sunday, November 22.
The celebration will recognize both the extraordinary generosity that has made Shine Forth possible and the beginning of a new chapter in the life and ministry of St. John the Divine. More information on this event is to come.
From Vision to Construction
The projects now moving toward construction are the result of a planning and discernment process that began in 2022. What started as an effort to address long-term capital maintenance needs grew into a comprehensive master campus plan shaped by parish leadership, multiple town halls, congregational input, and careful consideration of the church's future ministry needs.
The Shine Forth Capital Campaign grew from that vision, inviting the parish to invest in spaces that will support worship, formation, fellowship, children and families, and ministry for generations to come.
A Season of Preparation
As construction begins, some disruption will be unavoidable. But as Leigh shares in his message, this can also be understood as “a season of preparation” — a time of anticipation as St. John the Divine prepares for a new era of growth and vitality.
Over the coming months, we will continue to share construction updates, including information about project timing, campus access, parking, wayfinding, and other changes that affect parish life.