Aiken Design Review Board approves St. Mary Help of Christians School addition

Matthew Christian, Aiken Standard, S.C.
·1 min read

Sep. 11—The proposed addition to St. Mary Help of Christians Catholic School took another step forward Tuesday evening.

The Aiken Design Review Board voted unanimously to approve plans for the construction of a 18,500-square-foot building on the southeastern corner of the intersection of Richland Avenue and York Street that will house an addition to the school.

The addition will include a 150-seat lecture hall, eight classrooms, two collaborative learning areas, a conference room and a workroom for teachers. It will be connected to the existing school via a covered connector with stairs at both ends.

Last month, the Design Review Board approved the first step in the process, the demolition of the existing buildings on the site at 207 Richland Ave. The property was acquired by the Diocese of Charleston for the school in 2017 for $190,000.

The dates for completion of the school are still fluid, but fall 2024 is a likely time for the addition to open.

The Design Review Board also voted to approve an application for Aiken's First Baptist Church to construct a stone columbarium and memorial garden on the south side of the church, an application for multiple improvements on the home at 119 Union St. N.E., and an application to replace the windows at 253 York St. S.E.

An application to repair a wall at 405 Colleton Ave. will return at a later date.