Historic Foundation Bricks Take on a Larger Purpose

Bricks will be used in a new welcoming portal and garden wall!

$25,000 gift match

For about the last six weeks, we have been making the church’s historic foundation bricks, recovered in the conversion of the Sanctuary, available to parishioners as remembrances in exchange for a small donation. During this time, we have received several comments that these historic foundation bricks really represent all of those who have come before us, creating the foundation of our faith community. We have taken these comments to heart and thought about how these observations tie into our redecoration theme of For Such a Time as This.

In recognition of all of those who have come before us, we are designing and will develop a portal or gate through which those entering the church campus from the parking lot will pass. The gate in part will include the remaining foundation bricks we have recovered. This portal will be dedicated to all of those who have come before us. The portal and garden wall will be built at the east entrance to Sacred Heart Way. A welcoming gate first design sketch is below.

Instead of continuing to sell individual bricks, we will solicit donations for the welcoming portal and garden wall. The Spanish language community of the Basilica will continue to lead this effort. Their efforts will be recognized with the installation of the Mother Cabrini emblem in the Triumphal Arch.

Much of this development will be made possible through the generosity of an anonymous donor, your donation when you donate a brick, will be matched dollar for dollar up to $25,000. So, $25,000 in donations becomes $50,000 with the gift match. Please consider contributing to the welcoming portal and garden wall.

Here is rendering (thank you Deacon Mike Balfour), of what the garden wall and portal may look like when completed.

The garden wall and portal will recognize all of those who have come before us, forming the foundation of our faith community.

The historic foundation bricks will be included throughout the wall construction, and there will be a metal security gate, (not shown), in the portal. Some of the foundation and loose stone from the old Marist School will be used in the portal to construct a small wall near the crepe myrtles as you enter the area.

In addition, there are other planned improvements to Sacred Heart Way, including creating a more comfortable walking experience, by changing the grade of this portal area and leveling it as much as possible. Sacred Heart Way will be resurfaced by repairing imperfections and resealing the asphalt. New plantings will be added to the small garden, and the landscaping around the fountain will be refreshed.

Sacred Heart has been at this location since 1898, and the portal and garden wall will serve as a reminder to those who pass through, of their humility, faith and generosity. We encourage you to make a donation, which will be doubled in value!

Thank you for your continuing generosity!

Our goal is to create a welcoming environment that supports the various liturgies that occur within it, is balanced and appropriate for a Basilica, follows current liturgical guidelines, and respects the history of Sacred Heart.