As Ascension and Youngsville both grow rapidly, the Sugar Mill Pound Campus naturally follows suit. While seeing landscape and construction workers around campus is nothing new, many have noticed the interior redesign happening in the downstairs office space – Father Montgomery’s brand new wall! It has been clear that this mystery project has raised lots of questions from students and faculty alike. In turn, as journalists, we investigated the situation and are here with answers. Possibly drawing inspiration from our recently elected President-Elect, Father decided he needed to build a wall. I sat down for an exclusive interview with Father himself to get all the details and opinions.

To truly figure how Father ended up with this trying construction process on his hands, investigators must first consider the background information that pushed him to relocation in his temporary office where he currently resides.  At the beginning of the school year, the Admissions offices were rearranged to accommodate the school taking on more faculty members whose job entailed possibility of necessity for private space for personal and private conversations. The school is designed with a lot of open areas for learning, so this shift landed Father graciously relocating in the old Check-In office, next to Mrs. Deshotels and Mr. Quick. This proved problematic to Father’s occupation and pastoral duty, as he worried that students and faculty felt as though they could not hold deep and open conversations with him. The reality of his office being so easily accessible is truly a double-edged sword to Father’s calling. On one side, Father enjoys the company and the foot traffic in his office space, as he is always available for pastoral care or just to hang out. Father made it clear that the stigma of the previously mentioned President-Elect’s wall does not follow his wall — he is not trying to keep anyone out. While the open area is very aesthetically appealing, it is not practical or professional in the pastor’s line of work. Father did add that he plans on leaving the sliding glass window accessible and is even planning on adding a glass piece to the door in the barrier so that he can retain his pastoral transparency.

Father Montgomery says that he thinks “the workers are doing a diligent and efficient job.” The project is expected to last over the next three weeks. For the meantime, if any students or faculty need to find their pastor, he can be easily reached in the upstairs loft. The hope and prayer of this wall is that he will simply be more equipped to do his job and assist congregation. Father even provided a scripture reference that reminded him of this project, and of God’s promise to his people that no worldly structure could stand between love. Romans 8:38-39 says, “ For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers,  neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” In conclusion, the new addition is looking to be very beneficial and fruitful to every person on campus. Father invites “any person looking for pastoral advice or a simple chat space to come by and pay him a visit.”