Holy Trinity Catholic Church at 901 North Holmes Avenue, Indianapolis, IN 46222 US - Yesterday's News

To The Visitors of Our Website and the Readers of The Trinitarian,

Holy Trinity’s Bockhold Hall is a place familiar to many of you.  For some, Bockhold Hall was a “big school” building where many of us spent grades 5-8.  Others will recall the times spent in the gym; playing basketball, school plays, and all the great wedding receptions held there throughout the years.  Some of the old timers will even fondly recall roller skating that was once part of Bockhold Hall’s history.  Much of our history was written, and nearly all of our current parish activities are to be found at Bockhold Hall.

The last several years have ushered in an incredible number of changes at Holy Trinity leaving Bockhold Hall as the one and only center for parish activities.  The rectory is now rented, and both Mary Carl and Lavric Halls have been demolished for the new construction of the Holy Family Shelter.  With the renovation now complete at the church, it is time now to focus on the needs, maintenance, and repairs of our parish center —Bockhold Hall. 

While the pealing plaster, poor flooring, and aged appearance of the rooms are readily apparent to even the untrained observer, what may not be so apparent are some of the other structural repairs that need to be made.  Holy Trinity’s Stewardship Commission is working to identify all the maintenance and repair issues at Bockhold Hall.  With our eyes on the future and all the imagined possibilities for our parish, we are dedicated to the restoration and renovation of Bockhold Hall.  The time for action is now.

First Things First

In order to proceed with any interior renovations, our efforts must first begin with the exterior of the building to prevent water infiltration.  Our twenty year roof has lasted us more than thirty years, but the time has come NOW for its replacement.  The Stewardship Commission voted unanimously at the April meeting to re-roof Bockhold Hall in 2008.   

In addition, there is a large amount of masonry work that must be completed, especially on the south and west sides of the building.  There is a great need to stop further water damage by thoroughly tuck pointing the building, and repairing all the mortar joints, as well as replacing failing lintels.  While the masonry work and roof replacement doesn’t improve the environment on the inside of the building, it is absolutely necessary to Bockhold Hall’s future and to safeguard our upcoming interior renovations.

Wish Lists

The parish-wide wish list is great for Bockhold Hall and includes such things as: handicap accessibility for the gym, a remodeled dining room, a Resource Center/Library, remodeled bathrooms, replacement windows, kitchen upgrades, carpeting, and air conditioning.  The last time a significant amount of money was spent on Bockhold Hall was during our 90th anniversary year, which was 1996.  Most of that work was completed on the building’s exterior.

Costs and Preparation

The commitment to move forward with the repairs and renovation of Bockhold Hall will be a demonstration of faithfulness to our parish future.  Bockhold Hall was not completed in 1926 without sacrifice and a commitment to the future of the Holy Trinity parish family.  Our predecessors were looking to the future and were optimistic.  We must follow their example and also look to the future.  Bockhold Hall can be a wonderful multi-use facility for our entire parish to use.  It has been built and paid for and we will attend to its maintenance and repair.  The costs will be significant, and we will need some help.  The estimates for the completion of the masonry work and roof replacement alone is above $250,000.  

Starting on Sunday, May 18th (Trinity Sunday) we will begin a novena for our Bockhold Hall efforts.   This special time of prayer will be repeated the following eight Sundays following the ancient tradition of the church.  What better way to begin such a significant parish project?    Please begin to think about your response to our invitation to join us in the efforts at Bockhold Hall.   Stay tuned to The Trinitarian for future updates regarding our “Hopes for Bockhold Hall”.

Letter from Father John

Dear Friends and Family of Holy Trinity,

I hope you had the chance to read my letter about the wonderful things happening at Holy Trinity and about our plans for the future.

With the arrival of the Holy Family Shelter, Bockhold Hall will become the center of parish activity.  Like it has done for many years, Bockhold Hall will meet the needs of our parish community as well as our many guests for many years to come.  Like any building with many years of age, it is in need of much TLC.  Through the generosity of Mr. Raymond Medvesek and his estate we have some resources to begin some work on the building.  However, as you look over the pictures you will realize our need is great.

That is why we need your help.  We are asking all of our friends and family, over 400, who receive the Trinitarian to make a contribution for the repair of Bockhold Hall.  Our hope is to have an average gift of $250 per household.  We know that for some it may be difficult to do while others are capable of more.  Through our collective generosity of equal sacrifice, not equal treasure, we hope to raise over $100,000 for the repair of Bockhold.  We have many dreams for Holy Trinity.  Will you help us to achieve them?

May God Bless and Keep you,

Fr. John McCaslin

and

The Stewardship Commission

(To see pictures of our Beloved Bockhold Hall, please click on the "more. . . " below.)

If you would like to make a donation to help with the renovation of our Beloved Bockhold Hall, you may mail a check or money order to:

                             Bockhold Hall Fund

                             Holy Trinity Parish Office

                             337 N Warman Ave

                             Indianapolis IN 46222

Much help is needed for the renovations and all donations no matter how small are truly appreciated.

God Bless!

Thank you for visiting our home on the web! 

You are always welcome to visit to keep up to date with the happenings in the Holy Trinity Parish and surrounding community.  And, please never hesitate to stop in for Sunday Mass at 10:00 a.m.  Everyone is welcome!