Leave a Radiant and Inspiring Legacy
Make a lasting impact by joining us in building a glorious house for God that will be a radiant beacon for our parish and the Highlands community for decades to come.
May the beauty which you pass on to generations still to come be such that it will stir them to wonder!
Pope St. John Paul II, Letter to Artists
What will we do with the generosity the Lord has shown to us?
We aren’t only interested in building a church that fills our current needs.
God has already been generous to us, and this is the same generosity we want to pass on as our legacy.
What more meaningful gift could we give to God than the gift of His children in relationship with Him?
We want to build a church:
- that will inspire future generations to love their Catholic faith.
- that attracts young couples preparing for marriage.
- where people want to baptize their children and raise their families.
- where young people are moved by beauty and the Holy Spirit at the time of their confirmation.
- where sinners find light when life seems darkest.
- that shows the world that despite decades of scandal, the Church is and will remain as the spotless Bride of Christ until His coming.
- that honors His Mother and our Patroness.
- above all, where all these things glorify God.
We believe that beauty is desperately needed in an ugly world and that a beautiful and inspiring place of worship is an inheritance worth passing on to future generations.
The radiance of our Baroque church campus will …
- Reflect our distinct heritage as Roman Catholics.
- Silently communicate Christ’s promise to be with His Church always, even despite sin and scandal.
- Preach the Gospel for generations to come through stone and beauty.
Stir hearts to prayer through their encounter with beauty
Respond gratefully to the Lord’s generosity
Provide a bright light of hope in a weary world
The time is now.
For over 70 years, Our Lady of the Mountains has offered the Church’s maternal care and served as the spiritual home for Catholics in Highlands, NC and beyond. Clergy and community have supported each other in times of grief, need, and joy.
Today, our facilities, like the Church, need renewal and rebuilding. We have the opportunity to give back to God in thanksgiving for His generosity to us, establishing a legacy of faith that honors our Patroness and the generations of Catholics that came before us.
We need your help. If you haven’t already, please join us now and give to the capital campaign today.
This is your legacy!
You deserve transparency and good communication.
We’ll do our part to communicate with you about the milestones and news of this project and the impact of your gift, even while you’re away.
3 Simple Steps to Join the Renewal
1. Determine how you want to give
You can give via…
- cash or check
- long-term pledge
- a non-taxable Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) from your IRA
- a gift of stock, bonds, or mutual funds or a matching gift from your employer, which effectively doubles your gift.
2. Decide how frequently you can give
If you can give only once, great! In some cases, you might be able to give on a recurring basis: monthly, quarterly, or annually.
3. Give!
Contact the parish to give via credit card, ETF, or for help giving in other ways–such as via brokerage account or real estate.
Get Started
Memorial Opportunities Coming Soon!
Honor a loved one by dedicating a part of the new church with a memorial.
Join us in prayer
God our Father, Creator of heaven and earth and Giver of every good gift, we ask for your inspiration and strength as we glorify your name through the work of our capital campaign. May your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, by His work of redemption on the cross, bless the labors of our hands. May He, through the intercession of His Mother, Our Lady of the Mountains, fill us with the Holy Spirit and bring our work to completion, all for the greater glory of God and the salvation of souls!
Our Lady of the Mountains, pray for us!
Frequently Asked Questions
How was it determined that a new church is needed?
A committee determined that the current facilities were hindering the church’s growth and community, so they decided a new church would solve these issues.
What are our current facility challenges?
The current building is outdated and has several issues like poor layout, insufficient restrooms, and high maintenance costs.
Why now? Is this the best time for a capital campaign?
The need is urgent, finances are stable, and both the congregation and diocese are supportive.
How do we know our parishioners support building a new church?
A study by a hired company showed that the majority of the parish is supportive of fundraising for a new church.
Will the new church seat more than the current capacity of about 210?
Yes, the new church will seat up to approximately 300 people.
Where will we hold Mass and other parish activities during construction?
The plan is to use the current church during construction.
What will happen to our current church when the new one is completed?
The old church will be repurposed to meet our needs for offices, gathering spaces, etc… until a possible Phase 2 commences to address long-term needs.
What is the projected cost of building the new church?
The aim is to raise up to $10 million for a well-designed new church.
Can our small congregation afford it?
Yes, the feasibility study suggests that the congregation can financially support the project.
What is the timeline for the campaign?
The campaign started in Spring 2022 and will continue into the Fall of 2023, with pledges accepted for several months after.
What is the timeframe for pledges to the campaign to be fulfilled?
Pledges are expected to be fulfilled within three years.
What happens if we do not raise all we need?
Options will be considered and further recommendations will be made to the parish.
Will the church’s Baroque design fit in with the character of Highlands?
Yes, the Baroque design is expected to complement and enhance the local aesthetic.
How likely is it that Father Barone will remain at Our Lady of the Mountains until the new church is completed?
While not guaranteed, it is likely that Father Barone will stay through the completion of the new church.
What is the timeline for building the new church? How long will the construction take?
Construction may start in late 2023 and aims to be completed in 2024.
Solidify your legacy here.
OLM is proud to give 10% of our total offertory to charity, especially supporting local organizations, such as:
Smoky Mountain Pregnancy Care Center
Highlands Literacy Council
Highlands Emergency Council
Highlands Food Pantry
