Tuscarawas Central Catholic moves chapel to benefit students

Recent renovations at Tuscarawas Central Catholic Junior/Senior High School had officials examining every part of the New Philadelphia building to ensure it was the best it could be.

Renovations to the lower level were completed last year.

“It was entirely gutted. Everything down there is brand new, from flooring to ceiling, plumbing, tile, showers — everything’s brand new,” said Tom O’Donnell, a member of the Building on Excellence Committee.

Core facilities were rebuilt and upgraded, including locker rooms, an additional locker room for visiting teams, a weight room and a new wrestling room.

The work is part of the school’s broader Building on Excellence campaign, which includes the new All Saints Chapel and a planned field house.

The chapel was originally housed in a small room on the north side of the building and later moved to the former home economics area. As officials considered upgrades, they decided to relocate the chapel again — this time to the former library space. The project also added offices, a bookstore and meeting space.

The change allows junior high and high school students to gather for Mass at the same time.

“It’s important, as part of our Catholic culture here in the building, to celebrate Mass together,” said Jennifer Calvo, principal at Tuscarawas Central Catholic Junior/Senior High School.

Previously, seventh- and eighth-grade classes held their own Mass. Calvo said she did not want the liturgies separate and is pleased the added space will allow the school to gather together.

The All Saints Chapel is just inside the school’s main entrance.

“The location is really the point too. It’s our identity, and it’s been brought to the front of the school,” O’Donnell said.

The renovations were completed by Mario Ionno Construction. Sloping high ceilings were incorporated into the design. Exterior windows were added with custom windows designed to resemble stained glass while being easier to maintain.

Work began in March 2025. Alumni and committee members also helped with portions of the project.

“Ionno Construction was able to have the summer to bring it together,” O’Donnell said. “It wasn’t completed in summer, but we took a lot of the steps necessary to keep the dirt down when school got back in session.”

O’Donnell said the chapel required several major purchases, including new pews, flooring, a wood ceiling and a sound system.

“We had tremendous support from the community, from parents and parishioners of our local parishes that donated to make it possible,” he said, adding that locally based foundations also contributed.

Religion classes have been meeting in the chapel, and monthly Eucharistic adoration is planned. The chapel is open to students throughout the day.

“It’s kind of a catapult for them to exercise and practice their faith — a place for them to go to find peace, to build a strong relationship with God, to sit in silence,” O’Donnell said. “It can be used throughout the school day, if kids feel like they need some time. They can go to the chapel before or after a sporting event or practice. Its doors are open. We want to see our kids use it.”

The chapel also includes repurposed items from churches and organizations that have closed, including a marble altar with a top weighing about 3,800 pounds.

“Greg Kimble got involved with his engineering expertise and was able to locate a lift that we could bring into the school and use to place both the back altar and the main altar,” O’Donnell said. “And that still took eight or 10 of us. We all got out of there with all our fingers and toes.”

Calvo called it the most nerve-wracking moment of the renovation.

“It all came together, which I think has really been the theme,” Calvo said, referring to how plans fell into place once the decision to move the chapel was made.

“Prayers were answered along the way, and it really just came together beautifully,” O’Donnell said.

Calvo said the chapel has already served visitors as well as students.

“There were a couple times this basketball season where we walked by and there was somebody in there praying from the other team, even before it was officially open,” she said. “That’s what we want.”

The final Building on Excellence project is a new TCC field house, with groundbreaking scheduled for later this year. Contributions are still being accepted.

O’Donnell said the 25,000-square-foot building is intended to serve both students and the community and will include a walking track, pickleball courts, basketball and volleyball courts, a weight room area, a community room, concessions and more.

“We hope to have it complete by the beginning of the school year in 2027,” O’Donnell said.