REV. RICHARD REIS
(1985-1995)   

By the mid 1980’s, St. Charles Parish had grown to approximately 2,800 families. The school had over 500 students and CCD enrollment was close to the same. The temporary church was no longer adequate. Sunday Masses were standing room only. Once again St. Charles Parish had outgrown its worship space.

A committee representing a cross section of the parish addressed the issue of more space. They found that the amount of structural changes needed to make the temporary church fit to accommodate the needs of the parish would cost 1.3 million dollars. Also, if that would be the course of action taken, the school would still not be able to utilize the area that housed the temporary church. The area was intended to be a combination gymnasium/cafeteria. The committee concluded that plans should be pursued to build a permanent church. The recommendation was made to Parish Council. The decision was made to go ahead with the project. That marked the beginning of a four-year ventured filled with a combination of hope, distress, anticipation, and hard work.

The original bid for he church as $2.8 million dollars. To cut costs, an office wing was cut from the plan. In addition, it was decided that vinyl-covered drywall would be used on the interior walls instead of brick. The changes in design reduced the cost by $500,000. The cement-tiled roof was also cut from the plan, but upon further decision it was put back into the design. The great pine beams were then necessary to support the weight of the tiles. In spite of the efforts to cut back, the final cost had escalated to an amount greater than originally expected.

The ground breaking was celebrated in November 1990. One year later, on November 24, 1991 the long awaited church of St.Charles Parish was dedicated. After 65 years of practicing their faith in temporary places of worship, the family of St. Charles moved into its new spiritual home.

The feeling inside the new church was one of spaciousness and community. The combination of natural materials offered and ambiance of strength with warmth. There was a sharp contrast between the atmosphere of the new church and that of the prior gymnasium-to-church conversion. While the parishioners were excited to have a beautiful new church to enjoy, the old church held many precious memories. It was a church, which had served its purpose well for 37 years. It functions as the place where Masses were held and Sacraments were received. It was the setting of countless weddings, baptisms, and funerals and where the post war generation raised its families. It allowed a growing parish to worship while staying within its means, and investing instead in a school to educate its children in the Catholic faith. That choice was a strong example of the parish philosophy. Since its establishment, the members of St. Charles parish had demonstrated that the church is not only of raw building materials, but also of the people and preservation of their faith.

Due to declining health, Rev. Reis, retired in 1995 and later passed away in 1998.