The Monsignor Allen Center on the St. Ann Church campus is completely wrapped in plastic July 12. The $2.4 million renovation is expected to be completed this fall. (SueAnn Howell | Catholic News Herald)CHARLOTTE — Costly, extensive renovations are underway at the Monsignor Allen Center on the St. Ann Church campus. Deterioration of the center’s stucco exterior since its construction in 1993 made the $2.4 million project necessary.
The 24,349-square-foot parish activity center houses the church offices and classrooms for parish and community meetings. It also serves as the St. Ann School kitchen, cafeteria and gymnasium.
“The Allen Center has long been in need of renovation, but because renovating the church was a higher priority, it’s been put off until now,” said Father Timothy Reid, pastor.
Visitors to the facility will observe that it is now completely wrapped in plastic. For safety, caution signs and fencing will surround the Monsignor Allen Center for the next three months.
Parking on the church campus is now very limited, and access to the main church parking lot via Willow Oak Road is allowed only on weekends.
Emmett Sapp, diocesan construction manager and St. Ann parishioner, said, “Continuous use of all areas of the building for nearly 30 years has naturally resulted in significant wear and tear. For years we’ve been battling a leaky roof, and the floors throughout the building are very worn, especially the gym floor.”
He noted that the HVAC units are original and in need of replacing, and the low-cost material used on the exterior of the building is easily damaged and has been repaired over the years.
“Unfortunately, rainwater has made its way behind that material over the years and caused damage to the metal stud wall framing,” Sapp said.
Inside the facility the stage area, kitchen and the upstairs bathrooms are all in need of updating, he said. 
“The goal is to address all of these issues, while making the exterior of the building more attractive and architecturally cohesive with the church,” Sapp explained.
The renovation’s high price tag has been a challenge coming on the heels of the pandemic.
“Fortunately, our parishioners have been so generous in giving to a monthly second collection that is providing funds for this project. At this time, however, we are about $500,000 short of what we need to pay for the project in full,” Father Reid said.
It is estimated that Mecklenburg Area Catholic Schools will contribute $1 million to the renovation, as the Monsignor Allen Center is a hub for St. Ann School activities during the academic year.
“Once completed, the Allen Center will not only be architecturally complementary to the church, but it will be a much stronger and well-built building that will serve both our parish and school for generations to come,” Father Reid said.
The project will also include a grotto in honor of Our Lady of Fatima that will serve as an outdoor devotional space for St. Ann Parish.
The Monsignor Allen Center renovation project started June 14 and is expected to be completed this fall.
— SueAnn Howell, Senior reporter