Meet the Builders

The People, Purpose, and Passion Behind Saint Michael’s New Home

By Meredith Turner, Director of Communications

On any given day over the past two and a half years, you could stand on Douglas Ave. in front of Saint Michael’s campus and watch something remarkable unfold. Not just steel rising or stone being set—but a quiet, steady collaboration between dozens of hands and minds, all working toward something far bigger than a building.

For the team from The Beck Group, this project has never been just about construction. It’s been about creating a place that feels, from the moment you step inside, like it has always belonged. “It’s a lot like designing a home,” says Project Architect Louis Sierra, “but it’s a home for several thousand people.”

MORE THAN A JOB

Each of the three leaders on this project—Graham Comstock, Integrated Project Leader; Louis Sierra, Project Architect; and Mickey Luttrell, Senior Superintendent—brings a different lens to the work. Graham oversees the integration of design and construction, guiding the project from early planning through completion. Louis serves as the “design guardian,” working in tandem with Jay Chung, Project Manager; Francisco Ibarra, Project Designer; and John Paul DeFrank, Principal in Charge; ensuring that every detail reflects the original vision. Mickey is constantly looking months ahead, coordinating the moving pieces of a complex job site.

But for all three, this project carries a weight that goes beyond logistics and timelines. Churches, as Louis describes, are among the most personal spaces to build. They hold history, memory, and meaning—not just for today’s congregation, but for generations. “You’re not just thinking about Sundays,” he explains. “You’re thinking about how people gather throughout the week, how they connect, how they experience community.”

For Graham, the connection is even more personal. His family’s history is intertwined with Saint Michael—his parents were married here, both of his grandparents’ funerals were held in its sacred spaces, and his daughter currently attends Saint Michael Episcopal School on this campus. Originally assigned to a different project, Graham jumped at the opportunity to join this project when the need arose, and he was presented with the opportunity.

BUILDING IN THE MIDDLE OF IT ALL

Constructing a new building is one thing. Constructing it in the heart of an active church campus is another entirely. “This site is tight,” Mickey says plainly. “There’s really one main entry point for construction, and once materials start coming in, you have to choreograph everything.” From navigating confined spaces to coordinating deliveries and crews, the logistics alone have been a constant puzzle. Some of the most challenging work has taken place in the narrow corridors and interior courtyards that connect the old and new parts of campus.

And then there were the challenges no one could fully predict. As the project was taking shape, the construction industry was emerging from the uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic. Material costs were volatile, and supply chains were unreliable. “We were trying to give firm estimates at probably the worst time in recent history,” Graham recalls. The solution required creativity—and a bit of boldness. The team ordered key materials like steel and glass years in advance, storing them locally to protect the project from dramatic price increases. “It’s not something you’d normally do,” he says. “But it was the best way to manage the risk.”

HONORING WHAT CAME BEFORE

While much of the work has focused on building something new, an equally important goal has been preserving what already exists. Saint Michael’s original sanctuary, designed in 1959 by architect Harwood K. Smith, set the tone for everything that followed. The team chose to honor that identity in the design of the new campus. “We were very intentional,” Louis explains. “The limestone, the brick, the columns—even the rooflines—we borrowed those elements from the original design.”

In fact, the brick used in the new construction comes from the very same company as the original. The result, as Mickey describes it, is something seamless. “It doesn’t feel like an addition,” he says. “It feels like it was always meant to be there.”

For Graham, that continuity is part of what makes the project so special. “That mid-century design—it’s clean, it’s timeless,” he says. “There’s no need to change it. It’s something to build on.”

SPACES DESIGNED FOR LIFE TOGETHER

Nearly half of the new building is dedicated to open, circulation areas—places for people to gather and connect. And at the center of it all is the Atrium, a light-filled space that serves as the new front door to Saint Michael. “It’s the convergence point,” Graham says. “It ties together the Church, the Parish Hall, the classrooms, and even the parking below. Everything flows through there.” Louis describes the Atrium as a place where community happens naturally.

And then there is the Parish Hall—what many on the team describe as the “heart” of the building. Flexible, expansive, and equipped with state-of-the-art technology, it can transform from a worship space to a large gathering space to a performance venue. “It’s going to surprise people,” Louis says with a smile. “There’s definitely a ‘wow’ factor.”

A COLLECTIVE EFFORT

While the three leaders helped guide the vision, they are quick to point out that this project has always been a team effort. Over the course of construction, nearly a thousand craftspeople have worked on site. Hundreds of thousands of labor hours have gone into shaping the building. At times, as many as 125 truckloads of rock were removed in a single day to make way for the foundation. “It takes a village,” Graham says. “We’re proud of what we’ve done—but it belongs to a lot of people.”

Louis agrees. After spending years immersed in the details—walking the site, reviewing every element, working closely with church leadership—he feels a deep personal connection to the finished space.

LOOKING AHEAD

Soon, the construction trailers will be gone. The dust will settle. And the spaces that have been carefully imagined and built will begin to fill with life. For the Beck team, that is the true measure of success—not just what they have built, but what will happen here in the years to come.

Because in the end, this was never just about constructing a building. It’s about building a vibrant and welcoming community where people from all walks of life come together to pursue Christ and support one another.

**This article was written by Meredith Turner and was featured in the 2026 Summer Archangel.