St. Cecilia Catholic Church Renovation

St. Cecilia Catholic Church in Ames selected Story Construction as its general contractor for this comprehensive addition and renovation project. Construction spanned 10 months, from July 2024 through May 2025, and included an 800 SF addition and significant renovations to more than 13,000 SF of the existing building. This included a dramatic clerestory addition through the existing roof line, creating more natural light with 24 new windows installed throughout the building. The renovation also included upgraded finishes in the sanctuary and nave areas, with extensive tiling, limestone walls, stained glass, new pews, and a new baptismal font. The project also included a family restroom, centralized entryway, and dedicated confessional area. Additional storage rooms were also added, as well as HVAC and utility systems.

The project demanded a high level of finishes. The contemporary design of the building features unconventional angles and non-traditional layouts that required a high level of detail from the very beginning of the project. A critical factor in this project was maintaining the sacred nature of the worship space, and SVPA Architects’ liturgical expertise helped ensure all elements respected the Church’s requirements and expectations. Another important consideration t was coordination between the Church and the Story team, to ensure construction was not overly disruptive to the church’s services as they occupied an adjacent space during the whole course of construction. Working within one large room created logistical hurdles for managing workspace and storage, and the team overcame these challenges to create a meaningful new space for St. Cecilia parishioners.