St. Marcus is proud to announce the completion of Phase I of the campus expansion. Celebrate with us as we open the doors to friends, family and the community. 

The Phase I dedication celebration is about more than just the new building. It's the manifestation of our dedication to education. It's our dedication to the future of the children of Milwaukee. It's our dedication to our community. And it's our dedication to the POWER of ONE. 

Help us dedicate Phase I, and find out what it means to be DEDICATED to THE POWER ONE. 

Dedication Agenda

Saturday, September 17, 2011

3:30 p.m.

Celebration Service

 4:45 p.m.

 Drum Line & Ribbon Cutting

 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.

 Open House with Tours, Refreshments and Entertainment

 Call 414-267-8361 for more information

St. Marcus Lutheran Church and School will break ground at 12:00pm on Sunday, October 31st on its second major campus expansion in the past decade. In 2003, the church completed a $5.5 million, 50,000 square foot expansion of its school and ministry space. This ground breaking initiates Phase I of a $12,000,000 school and campus expansion effort.

Phase I, at $9,300,000, will add a 46,080 square foot state of the art educational facility, allowing St. Marcus to double the size of enrollment to serve a yearly total of over 600 students. It also increases church ministry space, including additional rooms for community outreach. Construction will begin the first week of November. The expansion was designed by Korb Tredo Architects and the building project will be led by Catalyst Construction.

Phase II, at $2.7 million, will offer an additional 12,000 square feet of multi-purpose space designed for use as a theater, gym and community resource center. Currently, $7.1 million of the $12 million campaign goal has been raised and efforts continue to raise funds for the second phase.

St. Marcus is known not only for its vibrant and growing church congregation but also for its nationally renowned K4-8th grade school. The school has grown from 100 students a decade ago to 424 today. The school serves predominantly low-income, African American students who are selected randomly and who post dramatic gains in educational performance measures and receive a strong Christian education. Parents have flocked to the school resulting in the need for the current expansion.

Community leaders attending the ground breaking include: 

• Bruce Krier, CEO, Krier Foods
• Ron Jones, President, Siebert Lutheran Foundation  
• Andy Fleckenstein, Fleck Foundation 
• Lilli Gust, President, Arnold Investment Counsel, Inc.
• Eugene Manzanet, Vice President of Community Development, PNC 
• Maria Lopez Vento, Program Officer, 
• Helen Bader Foundation 
• Ben Hannemann, Marketing Director, Versant 
• Jeff Tredo, Korb Tredo Architects 
• Jennifer Bartolotta, The Bartolotta Restaurant Group

According to Tim Sheehy, President of the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce, "St. Marcus is building the city by taking a floundering neighborhood and giving it a great school. A capital campaign to expand the reach of St. Marcus is one of the best investments in this city's future." St. Marcus invites the community to participate in the ground breaking and to support the on-going fundraising effort.

Learn how the school is changing education in the region, providing a quality and a no-excuses education. Get more information about the campus expansion by contacting Henry Tyson, Superintendent, St. Marcus School 414-267-8387 or 414-303-2133 or Christine Safranek, Development Director, St. Marcus School 414-267-8361 or 414-750-6498

When: 

12:00pm Sunday, October 31, 2010

Where: 

St. Marcus Lutheran Church and School

2215 N Palmer Street, Milwaukee WI 53212 (one block east of 1st and North Ave)

About St. Marcus

St. Marcus Lutheran Church is a vibrant urban ministry, existing for more than 135 years, with 1,000 members from greater Milwaukee. Rich and poor, educated and undereducated, life-long Christians and those new to Jesus, the ministry celebrates a diversity of ethnic backgrounds and family histories. St. Marcus offers three Sunday worship services: 8:00am, 10:30am and 6:30pm

St. Marcus Lutheran School is a Christian, college-prep school serving 424, predominantly low-income African American students from K4-8th grade. As a nationally recognized leader in urban education reform, St. Marcus empowers individuals, children and families to overcome challenges and reach their full potential. Graduating students are fully prepared for high school and positioned to excel in higher education, including university academics and as leaders in their communities. The Christian focus and no-excuses approach encourages growth in wisdom, dedication and self-discipline. 

• Students boast an average daily attendance rate of 96%
• 97% of graduates 2005-2009 graduated from or remain in high school
• 100% of 8th grade students are proficient or advanced in math
• 95% of 8th grade students are proficient or advanced in reading

It's time to build!

On Sunday, September 26th the Congregational Capital Campaign was ignited during worship services with an historic mortgage burning.

We are in the business of connecting people,” states Pastor Mark Jeske. This campus expansion allows us to connect with many more people sharing the love of God, extending our reach into the community and providing greater opportunities for the growth of all St. Marcus ministries. To date, St. Marcus congregation leaders have pledged over $1 million toward the Congregational campus expansion goal of $2 million. Astoundingly, $6.2 million of the overall $12 million goal is committed! With a broad range of supporters, community connections and enthusiastic congregational involvement - these goals will be joyfully realized.

Now we ask ourselves, “Who would have believed?,” questions superintendent, Tyson. “Our Heavenly Father blesses us when we move forward in faith. We must put our faith in God - as only he knows what is next for the St. Marcus ministry.” With this spirited launch, an invitation is extended to the families of St. Marcus to become involved. “Ride the wave” of St. Marcus ministry growth. It's time to build!

HOW WILL YOU UNLOCK YOUR POTENTIAL?

GIVE

Prayerfully consider a stretch gift according to what God has given you. A stretch gift is one you may make only a few times in your life. This may require sacrifice and life style adaptation. Sacrificial giving is not about being bigger. It is about being faithful. Oftentimes people who gift sacrificially find they are filled with joy and peace. In fact, they grow spiritually with a deepened faith. God invites you to become richer by giving, transforming your spiritual walk with Him.

ENGAGE

Inviting others to share in the ministry story and vision allows St. Marcus to serve more people through the Word of God. Our Annual Benefit Gala, brings our mission to over 300 church, community and business leaders building essential connections. You can do this too! What is your spiritual vision? Know it, share it. Perhaps you would host a small gathering at your home or in a community venue. How about a Packer Party, barbecue, beer or wine tasting? Need suggestions? Contact the St. Marcus Development Office at 414-267-8361 for idea sharing and assistance in planning your event.

SHARE

While involved in the Kohl's Cares Facebook contest, we witnessed the power of social media as a door to awareness, collaboration and partnerships for building community. Reach out to your networks and offer others the opportunity to participate in our vibrant urban ministry. Social media, such as Facebook, Twitter and emails extend your reach to share. Building a community of love, builds God's kingdom, often transforming lives.

Use the talents that God has blessed you with, and together, we will unlock the potential.