DIKE - New buildings, in their infancy, often prompt questions from passers-by.

Curious motorists may wonder who is building what. And for what use.

The Rev. Dennis Quint thinks the looming structure at Grundy County roads T55 and D35 leaves no mystery about it's intended purpose - at least at this stage of the construction. The building's tower, arched windows and cross, are synonymous with worship, at least in a traditional, Judeo-Christian sense, Quint said.

"You don't drive by and wonder if it's a library. A day care center," Quint said. "It's clear that it's a church."

When complete, St. Gabriel Catholic Church, located several miles south of Dike and U.S. Highway 20 in Grundy County, will serve the southern portion of Holy Family Parish. Catholic churches in Dike, Grundy Center, Reinbeck and Parkersburg consolidated to form the parish in 2004. Parish leaders decided to construct a newer, larger and more modern church several years ago after conducting a study. Only the Parkersburg site will keep its building once St. Gabriel is complete.

On Sunday, the public is invited to view the progress at St. Gabriel. The open house includes a 2 p.m. blessing of the date stone and enclosing a time capsule. The building will remain open to visitors until 3:30 p.m.

Throughout the months-long building process, parish leaders strived to keep church members up-to-date on progress at the site with a previous open house, capital campaigns and online updates. But Quint wants parishioners to see their new home in person.

"Nothing captures the experience of coming into a space like this," Quint said.

The nature and pace of construction at the new church currently prevents parishioners and other visitors from touring the facility at their leisure, Quint said. Officials plan to christen the new church with a 2 p.m. dedication on Feb. 22.

The worship center, which features tall, wooden ceilings, round head windows and a baptismal font up front, can seat 500. A gathering space at the back of the church can accommodate up to 180 people. A basement fellowship hall will seat 300.

St. Gabriel will also house the religious education center and offices for Holy Family Parish.

Quint says he thinks the new setting, which includes a space devoted to personal prayer and reflection, may inspire and rejuvenate religious devotion among area Catholics.

Couples who have stepped away from regular participation in the past have commented that perhaps it's time to recommit to the church, the priest said. Practicing Catholics in Dike and Reinbeck, accustomed to attending church in a former restaurant and an old appliance store, may find it easier to focus on faith in an atmosphere he thinks is more conducive to worship, Quint said. And former members of the now-closed Catholic church south of Hudson known as Blessing may find a home at St. Gabriel, he added.

Planning and building a new church offered parishioner Tim Melloy a lesson in religious symbolism. Melloy, born and raised a Catholic, is learning about the significance behind the design and placement of items such as the baptismal font and the tabernacle.

"There is a lot of theology just within the architecture of the church," Quint added.

St. Gabriel will incorporate elements from churches within and outside of its parish, Quint said. St. Mary Catholic Church in Waverly, which will move into a new building on Nov. 29, is sending its station of the cross statues. St. Gabriel will also feature mementos from parish churches in Dike, Reinbeck and Grundy Center.

Gethmann Construction of Marshalltown serves as the project's general contractor. But members of Holy Family Parish have also helped build and furnish the church by giving to the campaign or volunteering their time and talents.

Tom Pippert and Tony Lyon of Reinbeck volunteered to fashion the altar and ambo for St. Gabriel. Lyon said he is simply one of many parishioners looking for a way to give to the church. A member of the church in Reinbeck, Lyon is excited about the move.

" … I think it will bring the fellowship of the three towns together … It seems to have already," Lyon said.

Contact Karen Heinselman at (319) 291-1581 or karen.heinselman@wcfcourier.com.