PRESS RELEASE

WHITESVILLE, KY – St. Mary of the Woods Parish has officially begun construction on a new, state-of-the-art campus to house both St. Mary of the Woods Grade School and Trinity High School. The new facility, located on a 10-acre site across Franklin Street from the current schools, will provide a modern learning environment designed to meet the needs of today’s students and future generations.

Fr. Brian Roby, pastor of St. Mary of the Woods Parish, highlighted the project’s significance for the community.

“Our current schools were built in the 1950s and 1960s and face mounting maintenance challenges,” Fr. Roby said. “In addition to these issues, we’ve been out of space for the last four years and have had a growing waiting list each year.”

Principal Emily Hernandez emphasized the necessity of expanding and updating the school facilities.

“We’ve reached the limits of our current facilities,” Hernandez said. “Times have changed, and we don’t have enough classrooms to accommodate class sizes within the current legal limits. There was a time when 54 first-grade students were packed into one room with one teacher. We’re committed to providing a better learning environment for our students.”

The new two-story building will feature distinct entrances for St. Mary of the Woods School (SMWS) and Trinity High School (THS), while sharing essential spaces such as a media center, cafeteria, and gymnasium. According to Fr. Roby, the project’s first phase is budgeted at $11.2 million and includes constructing the SMWS wing, administrative offices, and common areas. Phase 2, costing an additional $5.7 million, will focus on completing the THS wing, an auditorium, and further gymnasium space.

Currently, St. Mary of the Woods has raised $11.6 million in pledges, with nearly $6 million of which is in hand. The Diocese of Owensboro has approved Phase 1, but the school still seeks $5.7 million in additional funding to realize Phase 2.

“We’re asking for financial support to make Phase 2 a reality,” Fr. Roby said. “There are few things we could ever do as a parish that would have an eternal impact on the Kingdom of God than giving our children, as well as the children, youth, and families of our future, a new school within which to grow and develop into productive and faithful Catholic citizens.”

Assistant principal Jill Payne of SMWS expressed appreciation for the community’s support in meeting the needs of today’s students.

“We are incredibly grateful for the facility that served past generations, but it’s time to give our current and future students a space that meets today’s educational needs,” Payne said. “This new campus will allow us to offer a learning environment that supports academic growth, safety, and a sense of community—everything we want to instill in our students from an early age.”

The campus will also feature outdoor spaces, including playgrounds, a greenhouse for the FFA program, and areas for community gatherings. The design supports academic and extracurricular programs, from new science labs to dedicated rooms for choir, band, and drama.

Nathan West, THS assistant principal, pointed out the importance of the additional gym space.

“Our students need an environment that supports their academic and extracurricular activities,” West said. “This includes not just updated classrooms but also specialized rooms like a new science lab and a dedicated FFA meeting space, both of which our current building cannot adequately provide.”

Hernandez also shared her appreciation for the forward-thinking approach to education that has driven this project.

“Our world has evolved, and our facilities need to reflect that,” Hernandez said. “We’re grateful to those who provided for my generation’s education, and now it’s our turn to build something that future generations can be proud of.”

Construction on Phase 1 is expected to begin in early 2025 and be completed in 18 to 24 months. Community members are encouraged to learn more about the new facilities and capital campaign.

Fr. Roby expressed gratitude for the community’s support.

“Our community and parish have rallied behind this project,” he said. “We are grateful for the support and are excited to provide a new space that will have a lasting impact on the children and families of our parish and beyond.”

For additional information on the new campus and ways to contribute, please visit https://stmaryofthewoodswhitesville.com/.