Construction and Real Estate

Diocesan Building Commission Members

• Mr. John Philipp, Chairman
• Msgr. James Bartylla
• Mr. Eric Schiedermayer
• Dr. Pat Gorman
• Rev. Thomas Kelley
• Msgr. Duane Moellenberndt
• Mr. Peter Szotkowski

• Mr. Kirk Keller, AIA, consulting architect

The Office of Construction and Real Estate assists pastors with construction management and engineering supervision in all building construction and major remodeling projects for parishes, schools, and other institutions of the Diocese.

The Diocesan Building Commission is a group of individuals (listed on this page), assisted by a consulting architect. For immediate assistance, please contact the Diocesan Construction Coordinator. Our goal is to:

• Assist parishes, schools, and other institutions in planning new construction, property improvement, and maintenance projects
• Serve as a resource for questions or concerns of parishes, schools, and cemeteries regarding construction and real estate matters, from the point of initial concept, development, architecture, engineering, and construction, to completion of work
• Review, evaluate, and make recommendations on all projects, including real estate transactions, referred to the Commission by the Bishop of Madison.

The Diocesan Building Commission is a group of diocesan priests, staff, and construction professionals who provide oversight and consultation for all parish construction and real estate projects, subject to the approval of the Bishop of Madison.

Just as assembling the right team early in a project’s planning phase is critical, having the Building Commission partner with parish leadership and the parish building committee helps to ensure that sound and timely decisions are made to reach parish goals while saving significant time, money, and resources.

Any time your parish takes on a project, you must notify the Diocese of Madison, prior to undertaking any action, by completing this form.

The policies and procedures set forth in the Parish Administrative Manual help inform and guide you in construction and real estate projects. To get started fill out the form. If you have questions or concerns, please contact the Diocesan Construction Coordinator at 608-821-3010 or construction@madisondiocese.org.

A parish may wish to lease vacant property for commercial (non-residential) purposes. The Diocese of Madison must be informed of any plans in this regard.

The relevant USCCB complementary norm regulating the leasing of church property reads, in part:

“The valid leasing of ecclesiastical goods owned by a parish or other public juridic person subject to the governance of the diocesan bishop requires consent of the diocesan bishop when the market value of the goods to be leased exceeds $100,000 or the lease is to be for 1 year or longer.”

The Bishop of Madison will consider the following before issuing his consent in writing:

1. Catholic identity clause
2. Insurance
3. Indemnification provisions
4. Landlord’s right to early lease termination
5. Determination of the responsible party for Repairs, Maintenance and Utilities

• Boiler Info on Risk Control