JS Vig Constructs Long-Awaited Church

If you were to apply a biblical reference to the attributes of St. Roch’s parish in Flat Rock, it would be seen as having the “patience of Job.”

The parish members have been attending mass and all church-related business in a temporary structure—for the past 51 years.

“We were in a school building for 51 years,” says Father Richard Hartmann. “When I got here six years ago, I asked what I could do. They wanted a real church.”

Tom Duford, building committee chairman, says he and the rest of the building committee conducted a feasibility study to determine how much the parish could spend and the parish members raised the money.
Duford says they chose JS Vig from four potential contractors on a list the Archdiocese of Detroit provided.

Duford says the decision was based on other parishes’ experiences, contractor presentations and their responses to the committee’s questions.

“Also JS Vig was heavily involved in the area we were in, which was a big plus,” says Duford. “Based on the responses from the potential bidders and also recommendations we received from those who had performed contracts and our own evaluation, JS Vig was the best general contractor for us.”
Construction started two years ago and the church was completed in August. The 11,500 square-foot church seats 500 people and has room for a choir.

The church’s structure is pre-manufactured laminated wood beam. “That’s really the structure that supports the drywall and the roof structure,” says Mark McPherson, architect.
“It’s really a skeleton they are creating and then everything is in-filled from there as far as the roof and the walls and everything but the structure itself.”
McPherson says these materials were chosen because it is easily expandable. “You can add on that building and it’s designed for that.”

This was important to growing parish with limited funds at the present, says Father Hartmann. “The area is growing but the economy went bust. It is easily expandable to become a sanctuary that seats 900. It could be expanded in the future if the growth continues.”

McPherson says he is particularly proud of achieved airiness of the church. “We did a lot with lighter colors and materials. The paint is white and the tile is a lighter based color.

The lighting added to the effect. “It’s got indirect light,” says McPherson. “You don’t see the lamps themselves, the light shines up on the ceiling and is reflected down so you don’t get any bright light, its all diffused light.

“When you go next door to the old sanctuary and go into the new one it is so dramatically different. It had a low ceiling and it certainly served a great purpose for many years, but it’s a dramatic change when you go to the new one.”

Father Hartmann says he and the parish community are thrilled with the new church. “It is beautiful. Our windows are shaped really nice—it was an architectural touch that Mark McPherson put in that sets it off and he also put in three strips of oak that go around the entire church.”
McPherson says the three wooden bands were representative of the trinity as were the windows. “There are three windows on both sides of the altar, that’s emblematic of the trinity.”
Father Hartmann says that JS Vig made the project a pleasure. “We worked with Joe Vig and I would recommend him to anyone.

“I met someone who said that Joe’s dad built his building 25 years ago and they are still friends with that family. I hope that happens to me. ”

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“With its tremendously skilled, hard-working team, J.S. Vig Construction helped fulfill the vision that the City of Romulus had in mind when we set out to build the Romulus Athletic Center. Thanks to J.S. Vig, the Romulus Athletic Center is now a beautiful, award-winning and popular athletic facility that has become the jewel in Romulus' crown.”

Tim Keyes
City of Romulus

“It has been a pleasure working with J.S. Vig on numerous projects over the past few years. They exhibit professionalism and honesty in their work, along with a willingness to look at options and alternate approaches to make project happen and succeed.”

David Esau, AIA, LEED AP
Cornerstone Design Inc

“ J.S. Vig is a company that is easy to work with because of their integrity. Our two firms have prospered from an over 30-year relationship, including many projects and personnel, which could not have happened without ongoing dedication to quality and honesty.”

David Zanely, LEED AP
Wilkie & Zanley Architects, A Sidock Company

“I have enjoyed over a 20-year relationship, built on honesty and professionalism, with J.S. Vig Construction Company.”

John Wilkie, AIA
Wilkie & Zanely Architects, A Sidock Company

“J. S. Vig Construction Company has built over 500,000 sf for Avis Farms. We have found their staff and subcontractors to be honest, creative and responsive in meeting our aggressive project goals.”

Trish Kalmbach
BOSC Equities

“…Simply one of the most organized and talented construction teams that I have had the pleasure of working with in 25 years.”

Greg Heil
President, Heil Partnership

“J.S. Vig Construction Company is honest, efficient, responsive, and completes each project with the client's needs in mind.”

Jerry Reinhart
President, Pomeroy Investment Company

“While this was an extremely difficult project in terms of phasing and working around our children, the employees of J.S. Vig did an outstanding job!”

Kurt M. Sebaly M. Ed.
Pentickton Center for Blind Children

“Through the entire pre-construction and warranty phases, your people have been responsive, professional, and cost-efficient. I would welcome the opportunity to recommend your firm and look forward to working together in the future.”

Larry Reed
Metavante Corporation