Cathedral High School Grotto Project Highlight

Envoy Construction & Development is honored to collaborate with Cathedral High School on a project close to the heart of the school community - the construction of a new grotto. 

Located at Cathedral High School, this grotto is intended to be a sacred space for meditation, prayer, and communal gatherings, aligning with Cathedral’s Catholic identity and providing a meaningful connection to the school's spiritual heritage. The project scope includes creating an inviting and contemplative structure that respects the traditions and values at the core of Cathedral High School’s mission.

The project started in July 2024, with an anticipated completion date in December 2024. Thanks to a generous donation from a Cathedral High School alumnus, Envoy was able to work within the donor’s $1.4 million budget to create a beautiful structure that aligns with the donor’s vision and the school’s spiritual needs. Envoy approached the budget as a guiding principle, crafting a grotto that reflects thoughtful design and meticulous construction, without exceeding financial constraints.

"We are putting a grotto at Cathedral to give our students, educators, alumni, benefactors, and their families a special place to pray that is both physically and spiritually connected to the community that has informed their journeys of faith. The grotto on campus will become a mini-pilgrimage spot where people can bring their cares and concerns to God, light a candle, and experience the peaceful environment of the Hill whatever the time of day or time of year. Hopefully, it will come to strengthen our own faith in Christ, our trust in God's providence, and our desire to seek the Blessed Mother's intercession for our needs," says Father Geoff Mooney, CSC, Cathedral Educator

Building the grotto on a restricted site during the school year presented a unique set of challenges. Given that Cathedral High School operates as a busy campus throughout the project’s timeline, Envoy employed just-in-time delivery methods to minimize disruption. This careful coordination limited site overcrowding, allowing the team to safely and efficiently move materials while maintaining an active construction schedule.

Envoy worked in close partnership with Josh Mazur, the project’s lead architect of Studio M Architecture and Planning. A Cathedral alumnus himself, Josh brought a deep understanding of Cathedral’s values and vision to the design, and he worked closely with both the school and the donor to ensure that this space met the community’s needs for a sacred and enduring space. His efforts reflect a genuine commitment to creating a meaningful structure for future generations at Cathedral.

Envoy Construction & Development is grateful for the opportunity to contribute to this inspiring project, and we look forward to the completion of a space that will serve Cathedral High School for years to come.