Updates to the Saint Stephen's Campus - Fall 2025

Dear Saint Stephen’s Community, 

I want to share some updates about construction on our campus this fall and how the work will impact our programming at our campus. Several months ago, we shared a bold initiative to launch the Threshold Center at what was formally St. John’s Church for the Deaf.  On May 13, I gathered with the Rev. Mary Bea Sullivan and the Rt. Rev. Glenda Curry to give thanks for the many ministries that have happened at St. John’s and formally deconsecrate the space as a church. 

A very generous gift was given to the Glory of God in thanksgiving for Katherine Owens that has given us the ability to renovate the interior of St. John’s.  The vestry has designated a small but significant part of the estate Barbarann Beckett-Gaines to complete the work. We began demolition this past week, and we hope to finished in October to make the former chapel a more inviting, welcoming, usable, and updated space.    

The project will level the main chapel, update the security system, and provide new AV equipment for the space.  We will also create a secondary entrance along Crosshaven to allow programming to happen alongside the CARES program that meets during the week.   There are a number of programs and groups that use what we are now calling the Threshold Center, and their programs will be impacted.   

Both our Al-Anon groups and the River of Life congregation have moved on our campus through September.  The Al-Anon groups will meet on Saturday morning, and the River of Life congregation will meet from 1pm to 2:30pm on Sunday afternoons.     

Katherine Owens has been working with Joel Blackstock at William Blackstock Architects on the design work.  Chip Bargainer of Bargainer Construction Company is handling most of the construction work. Chip and Katherine built the first St. John’s in 1990, and it seems fitting that they would have their hands in the resurrection of this space.   

Maybe what is most powerful to me that I am still shocked by is our ability to launch a new endeavor as important as the Threshold Center, without it detracting from our ability to live into the ministry of Saint Stephen’s or launching a campaign.  While there will be a few additional capital needs that will happen over time (for example,  improved landscaping), all the current improvements are fully funded without an appeal to our congregation.  I am grateful for our Vestry, for the Rev. Mary Bea Sullivan as Director of the Threshold Center, and our community for the wonderful position we have found ourselves in.   

My hope is that we will welcome our whole campus to bless and give thanks for renovated space at an Open House in January of 2026.   

Faithfully, 

The Rev. John B. Burruss, Rector