What would you do with $1 million? Alumni of Our Mother of Mercy Catholic School, Beaumont, knew just what they wanted to do.

Parishioners, students and alumni gathered to celebrate the groundbreaking of the new gymnasium for Our Mother of Mercy School.

The new gymnasium is being made possible by a donation of $1 million by Darrell and Glinis Mays, alumni of the school.

The couple met there 28 years ago when they both attended. Though they now live in Atlanta, the couple has returned throughout the years to renew their wedding vows and have their children baptized.

“This is where our hearts are, and we’ve always considered this our home parish. We’ve attended a lot of parishes over the years, but this is where we have always felt the most at home,” Glinis Mays said.

Bishop Curtis Guillory, SVD, opened the groundbreaking by speaking to the crowd that had gathered.

“This is a very special day for this school and for the community that supports it,” Bishop Guillory said. “These two people graduated from this school, and they went out into the world and did well for themselves.

“Now they have come and given something back because they believe in this place, and they believe in the good things that come from it. We can all learn a valuable lesson from their example,” he said.    

Principal Dolores Fulton also spoke to the attendees about her history at Our Mother of Mercy.

“I attended Our Mother of Mercy when it was located on Broussard Street and now to see what it has become and to see how it has grown and affected so many lives, it’s just a blessing,” Fulton said.

The gymnasium will have a regulation basketball court, catering kitchen, office, three classrooms, seating for 300 and storerooms.