In 1970, Church of the Beloved Disciple began the first of many changes. An extensive, $16,000-renovation took place, during which the original pews were removed and replaced. A new, modern look was created in place of the original, traditional style: The walls were repainted along with the dome, relegating its ornate symbols to a few photographs. The statues of the Blessed Mother and St. Joseph were removed from the two front side altars along with maroon velvet curtains from the main altar. The former altar of the Virgin Mary became the new baptismal font, and the altar of St. Joseph became the Repository for the Blessed Sacrament. The traditional crucifix was replaced with a modern figure of the Resurrected Christ. Red carpeting was also laid.

During this time, the format of the Mass also underwent tremendous transformation due to the "Aggiornamento of Vatican II."

The Mass was no longer said in Latin but in the vernacular. Formerly facing the rear wall of the sanctuary, the altar and the priest now faced the congregation, and the Communion rail was removed so that parishioners would stand while taking the sacrament. No longer were parishioners required to fast so astringently for Communion or observe Friday abstinence.

Since then, Church of the Beloved Disciple has seen many additional changes, and the number of parishioners increased. After associate pastor Rev. James Wiley’s retirement, Monsignor Edward Zeitler was left with four Masses to handle on his own. It was decided to reduce the number of Masses to three, with two on Sunday. However, the 10:30 a.m. Mass began to be very crowded, so a live audio/visual feed was set up so that those in overflow seating on the lower level could still participate in Mass.

Prior to the beginning of Msgr. Zeitler’s pastorate in 1997, a vitality study was conducted in the parish. This study determined that there were three major needs that had to be met: A youth ministry needed to be formed; air conditioning needed installed; and the building needed to be made handicapped-accessible. In addition, the growing congregation created a need for additional seating. Also of concern was the fact that the building offers little space for the Rite of Christian Burial; baptism by immersion; musicians to be part of the congregation in the main worship space; and for the Rite of Reconciliation.

Following feasibility studies, it was determined that it would be impossible to expand the existing church to make room for additional seating and handicapped access while still maintaining the integrity of the church. Also, the shortage of priests in the diocese and the impending retirement for many of the current ones made it necessary to have a larger church so the number of Masses could be further reduced if necessary. The decision was made to build a new facility.

The Knights of Columbus Council #3658 of Grove City graciously donated 10 acres of land on Route 208 west of Grove City for the new building, and the church purchased three more to help support the organization.

Around the time the project was just starting to get off the ground in 1998 or 1999, the Diocese of Erie launched its Capital Fund Drive for growth and development. Each parish was given a challenge goal; any money raised above that figure would be left for the parish’s use. Beloved Disciple then challenged parishioners to donate as much as they could through the campaign and ongoing fundraisers including a car raffle and monthly collections. By June of 2005, over $1.1 million in donations was collected. The church aimed to have 75 percent of the cost of the church building (about $2 million) in the bank before beginning. The remaining half-million was taken as a loan.

Victor King of Crowner King Architects, Erie, was chosen as architect following an interview process. At the time he was selected for the job, the parish was still considering a renovation to the existing building; however, after drawing up some plans King determined it would probably cost more to renovate than to just build a new facility. Furthermore, the existing church would still have to deal with limited parking. Rien Construction Co. of Brookfield, Ohio was selected as the contractor.

Several town meetings were held prior to the start of construction to keep parishioners updated on the building process, at which they could offer comments, concerns and suggestions. Also, committees were formed to facilitate a smooth transition from old church to new.

King designed a clean, contemporary, 80-by-80-foot worship space with seating for 450. The original Beloved Disciple church seated 250. The new, one-level building also features a spacious fellowship area; a small chapel for daily Mass; a reconciliation room; an office; and an immersion baptismal font.

Ground was broken on June 12, 2005. Parishioners joined Msgr. Zeitler, Bishop Donald Trautman, King, and Pat Longley of Rien Construction in a ceremony, at which the bishop blessed the ground and the people. Construction actually began about the third week of May 2005.

Familiar, beloved elements of the North Broad Street church were incorporated into the new space as well, including the center panels of the eight stained glass windows; the two triangular stained glass windows from above the sanctuary; the tabernacle; the statues of the Blessed Mother and St. Joseph; the hand-painted copper Stations of the Cross; and the statue of St. John the Beloved Disciple from the exterior niche. Plans are also in place to transport the distinctive bell tower to the new site.

Now that the worship facility is completed, our parish may begin to look at the remaining stages of our building project: a new, adjoining religious education facility ($565,000), administration building ($226,000) and social hall with seating for 500 ($1.2 million); and a nearby rectory for our pastor.

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