Local Catholic church is expanding
The St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Roman Catholic Church is expanding its sanctuary to accommodate its growing congregation. The new structure will double the sanctuary seating to 150 by extending the existing church building eastward about 25 feet. The photograph, facing northwest, shows the concrete pad, poured on Monday and, later on that day, roof trusses were delivered.
The existing small church building, located on 11th Ave. NW, has been a fixture in Cairo for many years, serving the spiritual needs of its congregants and providing a religious witness in the community through charitable acts.
Now, it will have a new, larger sanctuary to accommodate its growing body of worshippers.
The addition, currently under construction, will provide seating for approximately 150, up from the present capacity of about 60-80.
Some existing walls are coming down to expand the church’s footprint, with new walls matching the present architectural design to be erected soon. In all, approximately 1,000 square feet of space will be added.
According to City of Cairo Code Enforcement Department records the work is being done by Tommy Davis at an estimated cost of $65,000.
Father Jacek Szuster is pastor. His charge includes both St. Augustine Catholic Church in Thomasville, Ga., where his office is located, and St. Elizabeth Ann Seton in Cairo. Father Szuster’s pastorate here, his first as senior pastor, began about five years ago when he was posted from Albany, Ga. He is a graduate of the St. Charles Roman Catholic Seminary in Philadelphia, Pa.
Two services are held at St. Elizabeth on Sundays. The first at 11:30 a.m. is in English; and the second at 1:30 p.m. is in Spanish.
