A Thoughtful, Three-Phase Plan
St. Joseph’s Church and Academy—America’s first SSPX foundation—is now bursting at the seams with 350+ faithful, including many growing families. At this pivotal time, we boldly embark on a historic relocation to our new 22.3-acre home in Armada, MI. Phase by phase, we will forge a thriving flagship campus: a K-12 academy for 200–350 students, a majestic church seating 500+, athletic fields, teacher residences, and a community center. Rooted in Tradition, we rise to welcome generations of faithful Catholics, creating an enduring refuge of community, Faith, and learning.
Projected Timeline: 1-3 Years
Projected Budget: 7.8-9.9M
Phase 1: Laying the Foundation
Spring 2026 – Fall 2028
Phase 1 is the urgent and practical first step that allows us to move forward immediately with confidence. With our 22.3-acre property in Armada now secured completely debt-free, we begin construction on the buildings that will relieve our most pressing overcrowding and enable us to begin education and worship on the new campus as quickly as possible.
What Will Be Built
-
A new school building designed to accommodate 200+ students, allowing the full transition from K-8 to a complete K–12 academy
-
A field house that will serve as a temporary sanctuary for Sunday Mass and community gatherings
-
Supporting infrastructure including parking lots, driveways, playground, pavilion, athletic playing field, and a versatile garage/storage barn
Why Phase 1 Comes First
We start here because our families need immediate relief — classrooms are overcrowded with two grades sharing each room, and the academy has the largest kindergarten class in its history. The field house also gives the parish a place to worship on the new property right away, allowing us to sell the current Ray Township facility and direct that equity into future phases.
Timeline
-
Spring 2026: Capital campaign launch, schematic design, and design development
-
Summer 2026: Construction documents and site preparation
-
Spring 2027: Land clearing and utility connections
-
Summer 2027: Construction begins
-
Fall 2028: New school opens and academy transitions to K–12; temporary chapel setup in the field house
Phase 1 gives our families the breathing room they need today and lays the strong physical and spiritual foundation for everything that follows — a true beginning of our new chapter in Armada
Phase 2: Building the Heart of the Campus
Winter 2028 - Summer 2031
Phase 2 is the exciting leap forward — the moment our vision truly becomes a permanent spiritual home and the campus begins to feel complete.
Projected Timeline: 3-5 Years
Projected Budget: 5.6-7.5M
Why Phase 2 Comes Second
We intentionally build the school and field house first so the parish can begin worshiping on the new property immediately. The field house serves as our temporary church, giving us continuity of the Traditional Latin Mass while we sell the Ray Township facility in Winter 2028 and apply that equity directly toward the permanent church.
What Will Be Built
-
A majestic new church with seating for approximately 500, designed to honor St. Joseph and worthy of the beauty and reverence of the Traditional Latin Mass
-
Athletic fields, volleyball courts, and expanded community spaces
-
A versatile barn/garage for storage and maintenance
Timeline
-
Winter 2028: Ray Township property listed and sold
-
Spring 2029: Church schematic design and village approval
-
Fall 2029: Groundbreaking for the new church
-
Summer 2031: Church consecration
Phase 2 is where everything begins to feel permanent. This is the spiritual heart of the campus — a beautiful, reverent church where souls are nourished, families worship together, and Tradition is celebrated with the dignity it deserves. It transforms our growing parish into a true flagship of the Faith.
Phase 3: Completing the Vision
2029 - 2032+
Phase 3 brings our long-term vision to full maturity — the final, joyful stage where the campus becomes a thriving, self-sustaining home for Tradition.
Projected Timeline: 4-6 Years
Projected Budget: 6.5-8.9M
What Will Be Built
-
A dedicated teacher residence specifically intended as a home for teaching sisters (possibly the Dominican Teaching Sisters of Fanjeaux or another traditional order), providing stable on-site housing and strengthening the spiritual and academic formation of our students
-
An additional high school wing to expand the academy as enrollment continues to grow toward 250–350 students
Timeline
-
2029–2032: Design and construction of the teacher residence and high school expansion
Phase 3 is the crowning achievement of Rooted & Rising. With the school and church now firmly established, this phase completes the campus and allows us to fully live the mission we have prayed for — forming strong Catholic families, fostering vocations, and creating a lasting environment where the Faith is passed on with confidence and joy for generations to come.