Dowagiac planning commissioners approve request

Some additions to the Holy Maternity of Mary Church are on the horizons as the city signed off on plans for a handful of renovations for the venerable establishment Monday.

The Dowagiac Planning Commission approved a resolution that evening that would allow the church to make improvements to their public entrance, as well to build handicap access and an expansion to the existing structure. The plan was submitted to the city by architects with 7Gen AE, the designers for the project.

The centerpiece of these renovations will be a 40-by-35 square foot addition to the south potion of the church’s parish center building. The extension will be attached to the structure’s garage, providing space for additional classrooms for use by staff and parishioners.

“We had a school, but it was demolished since it wasn’t feasible to keep it,” said Bob Franz, a member of the church’s parish council.

Franz said the new rooms will be used for the church’s catechism classes, which are held on Sundays.

One of the main drivers of the expansion is help bring the parish center, located next to their chapel, into compliance with the Americans with Disability Act, by building a new handicap friendly bathroom inside the existing garage area. In addition, leaders plan to construct handicap accessible entrances to the structure and an electric lift to reach other floors.

“Out the south side we’ll put a door into a new hallway for the four classrooms additions for the catechism,” said Scott Winchester, an architect with 7GenAE.