St. Nicholas Church in Lyons, just outside Chicago, is the focus of plans to add an Orthodox dome, crosses on the roof and a renovated facade. Announced with the blessing of Metropolitan Longin, the project reflects a long-standing wish among parishioners for a church whose exterior clearly expresses the Orthodox faith of the community gathered inside.
Changes to the entrance are also planned, continuing a vision that dates back to the congregation’s time in Brookfield. But the parish’s ambitions reach beyond the church building. They also involve the spaces where members gather for community events and, perhaps most importantly, opportunities for children growing up around the parish.
A Vision Years in the Making
For parishioners, the proposed dome and crosses represent more than a change in architecture. In its announcement, the parish recalled that the desire for a distinctly Orthodox appearance had existed since the church was built in Brookfield.
The community now hopes to fulfill that aspiration in Lyons. No specific construction start date or completion deadline has been announced. The parish has emphasized its determination to complete the undertaking with the support of the people who have helped sustain and develop the congregation over the years.
A Gathering Place Beyond Sunday Services
While the church’s exterior is being considered for improvements, attention is also turning to the large banquet hall. The parish describes it as a home for cultural events that have become a recognizable part of community life.
Plans are being developed to renovate the restrooms, enlarge and improve the kitchen, and update the hallway and stage. The parish is also working to obtain the necessary permits, meaning this portion of the project remains in the planning stage rather than under construction.
More Than 50 Children and Hopes for First Grade
Children have a prominent place in the announcement. The preschool associated with St. Nicholas Church currently has more than 50 children, and parishioners hope its continued development will make it possible to introduce a first-grade class next year.
That goal reflects the future they envision for the congregation. They want children to spend time together at church, form friendships and grow up connected to the faith and traditions of their families. Their hope is that those same children will return as adults for important occasions in their own lives.
The parish’s concern for younger members also extends to the grounds surrounding the church. A fence would make the property safer for children, but that part of the project will depend on whether sufficient funds can be raised.
An Appeal to the Parish Community
The parish has invited its members to support the planned improvements and thanked everyone who has contributed in the past. It has not announced an overall project cost or a timetable for completing all the proposed work.
The announcement also includes prayers for blessings upon the undertaking and expresses the hope that St. Nicholas Church will remain a place where Serbian families continue to gather in the years ahead.
For the parish, the purpose of the effort reaches beyond a renewed facade or improvements to the hall. It is also about ensuring that the facilities being cared for today will remain useful to the children now growing up as part of the congregation.
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