During the summer, construction began on a new rectory at St. Teresa of Avila Catholic Church in Grovetown, without benefit of an outside architect or general contractor.

There was no need: Parishioners crafted the blueprints and supervised the job site.

"They offered their services," the Rev. Michael Roverse said. "It's a great example of people being able to work together for a common goal."

The church has nearly finished the facility, and on Tuesday Bishop J. Kevin Boland blessed the home.

Bishop Boland, who leads the Diocese of Savannah, sprinkled the house and parishioners with holy water after cutting a red ribbon wrapping the rectory door. He also blessed a crucifix that will hang in the house.

"Seek to make your new house before all else a diffusing place of love," he encouraged the priests, before praying to thank God for their new home.

"In you," he prayed, "every dwelling flows into a holy temple."

The rectory still requires hardwood floors and appliances before the staff moves in by the end of the year. An open house for parishioners to view the completed project will be held after a Mass in December.

It will be the fourth home for priests since the church was founded in 1968.

With the move, the priests will end a lease on their rectory on Pleasant Home Road.

"My commute now is the parking lot," said the Rev. Roverse, who will move into the new rectory just a few hundred feet behind the church, along with parochial vicars, the Rev. David Koetter and the Rev. Gaspar Hegedus.

The 7,000-square-foot rectory houses five suites and a family room. Each suite has a kitchen and bath.

While there's room for five, St. Teresa has three priests.

"We needed to build for the future," said Tom Konitzer, a former parish council president.