Building Central Texas since 1977

Featured Worship and Religious Projects

During the past several decades, BRATH has constructed numerous worship and religious facilities. BRATH understands the unique concerns that a Building Committee might have; such as a capital campaign, scheduled church events, and pleasing a congregation or parish. Please contact us for a complete list of worship and religious projects.

A sampling of these projects include:

St. Mary's Catholic Church Parish Center	St. William Catholic Church	First United Methodist Church Round Rock
St. Michael's Episcopal Church	The Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd

St. Mary's Catholic Church Parish Center

The Parish Center for St. Mary’s Catholic Church is located in a historical area of Fredericksburg, Texas . The Parish Center serves the parish and the Fredericksburg community with a large gathering space for weddings and various events. The large space can also be divided into smaller meeting rooms utilizing several acoustical partition walls. The Parish Center is a 13,718 square feet facility that also includes a kitchen, bride’s room, restrooms, storage areas, and entry hall. A new parking lot and sidewalks were added, creating 89 new parking spaces for the community and parish.

The building was constructed using a slab on grade foundation, structural steel framing with light gauge steel framing on the interior walls. Decorative stained wood beams and stained wood trusses can be seen in the large assembly room. The exterior is a stone veneer to blend with the two surrounding churches built in 1863 and 1906. The exterior windows have cast stone molding, arches, sills and lintels. The roof is standing steam metal with a cast stone parapet cap, and a cast stone cross. Interior finishes include ceramic tile flooring, acoustical partitions, painted drywall, chandeliers, cove lighting, vaulted ceilings, kitchen equipment, millwork, and custom wood doors. The Parish Center also has a covered drop off area, automatic sprinkler system, and a high-tech lighting system.

BRATH was chosen as the Construction Manager on the project through a proposal and interview process. BRATH collaborated with the architect, Stehling Klein Thomas Architects, P.L.L.C., and the project team during design and construction.  BRATH received a 2012 Excellence in Construction Award from the Associated Builders and Contractors for our work on the Parish Center.

St. William Catholic Church

As Construction Manager, BRATH collaborated with the architect, The Wallace Group, and the project team during design and construction of the new 32,151 SF sanctuary. BRATH produced several rounds of estimates, constructability reviews, cost analyses, cost savings options, and value engineering ideas during the design process. The early estimates helped the owner prioritize the budget and determine that the sanctuary building would be the first constructed. The project team was able to include in the contract the majority of the infrastructure for three future buildings on campus.

BRATH incorporated numerous owner upgrades into the construction schedule without delaying the project. BRATH also arranged for the steel erector to install the cross on top of the dome on a Saturday for a special Cross Raising Ceremony with hundreds in attendance. BRATH assisted coordination of engraving brick pavers for the front walkway, a fundraiser for the church. BRATH also helped communicate directly to the parishioners by issuing two BRATH newsletters during construction. BRATH received an Excellence in Construction Award from the Associated Builders and Contractors of Central Texas for our exceptional work on St. William Catholic Church.

First United Methodist Church Round Rock

BRATH led the team to build The First United Methodist Church Round Rock, a 28,000 SF sanctuary near downtown Round Rock. The challenge was to construct a “100 year building” with special attention to water tightness of the building envelope. The church also had exceptionally high quality masonry, cut stone, and interior wood work. The project required special coordination due to the fact that the sanctuary was 60 feet tall. The interior construction was coordinated so that the upper construction could be completed and approved prior to beginning finishes below. This allowed for scaffolding and lifts to be removed from the building prior to the lower finishes. The project was finished 25 days ahead of schedule with significant cost savings returned to the owner. BRATH received an Excellence in Construction Award from the Associated Builders and Contractors of Central Texas for our exceptional work on First United Methodist Church.

The Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd

After a proposal and interview process, BRATH was selected as construction manager for The Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd and immediately began working with the church and Heimsath Architects to develop a construction budget for their master plan. BRATH performed a schematic estimate, and later a design development estimate using 90% drawings. The design development estimate included a breakdown of costs for each part of the master plan. After analyzing the cost breakdown, the church determined their priorities and decided to do the sitework, the Administration/ Choir building and the Nursery Addition. The sitework package included utilities and infrastructure for future phases as well as a relocated roadway, new water quality pond and parking lot.

The campus was occupied throughout the project. The church has a daycare/school on the weekdays, in addition to their regular church activities. The Pastor also lives on campus; his house is adjacent to the new construction. BRATH worked with the project team to arrange a new drop off/ pick up area for parents and students during construction. BRATH provided a temporary fence for the rectory to separate the backyard from construction. BRATH also coordinated any utility disruptions well in advance with the church. Protection of the public also needed to be addressed with fences and barricades, because Windsor Street is very busy with pedestrian traffic and residential neighborhoods.

BRATH completed the project 84 days ahead of the contract schedule, in time for a special Building Dedication Service. BRATH received an Excellence in Construction Award from the Associated Builders and Contractors of Central Texas for our exceptional work on the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd.

St. Michael's Episcopal Church

St. Michael’s Episcopal Church is located on a unique ten acre site that required careful design planning, well thought out construction coordination, and ongoing, meaningful communication from the outset. Due to the need for water, telecom, and electric utilities, access to the building and parking sites through rough terrain, the development of budgets and schedules required the BRATH methodology. The owner also added additional scope after the GMP, and all scope items were completed without any extra days added to the length of the project. In fact, the project was completed 30 days ahead of schedule and a significant cost savings was credited to the owner. BRATH received an Excellence in Construction Award from the Associated Builders and Contractors of Central Texas for our exceptional work on St. Michael’s Episcopal Church.