Announcing the Construction of the San Lucas Mission Center
The lot where the new San Lucas Mission Center will be constructed
Friends of San Lucas and the San Lucas Mission are officially moving ahead on the construction of our new San Lucas Mission Center—a project that will strengthen the Mission’s ability to welcome visitors and serve the San Lucas community for many years to come.
Mission Construction Program leaders work on plans for the new Center
In the first phase, the new Center will become the heart of the Visitor Program and a community gathering space, including:
- A kitchen and dining room to support visiting groups and Mission staff meetings and community meetings
- Essential infrastructure, including restrooms, a security fence and parking
- Outdoor spaces designed for connection and reflection
As of November, we are thrilled to share that the Mission has just broken ground. The team in San Lucas has begun land leveling and preparation of the building platform, which is an important first step toward bringing this vision to life. The new Center will be located kitty corner to the current “biblioteca” space.
Looking ahead, a second phase of the Mission Center project is planned for 2027. This future expansion will include:
- Office space for Mission staff
- Additional gathering rooms
- A patio overlooking Lake Atitlán, offering a beautiful setting for meetings, orientation sessions, and community gatherings
This multi-step investment will strengthen the Mission’s long-term sustainability, expand its capacity to serve and welcome community members, and enhance the experience of all who come to San Lucas to learn, connect, and grow.
A project of this magnitude requires substantial funding. We hope we can count on your support. To make a contribution of any size, click here. We could not take on a project of this scale without your support!
Want to be a part of this exciting next chapter of FOSL and the Mission? Join us for a special trip to San Lucas to participate in the construction of the Center on April 7-12, 2026. We’d love to have you take part in helping to make this dream a reality. Learn more and sign up through this interest form.
Monthly updates about this project will be posted to this page. Check back for more info!
MARCH 2026 UPDATE:
The Center now has an official name — K’aslem Jay. In the local Mayan dialect of Kaqchikel, k’aslem means life. But it’s not simply being alive, it’s a way of living with respect, responsibility, and connection to others. Jay means house or home. Together, K’aslem Jay can be understood as “a home with life.”
Site construction is progressing smoothly: the security wall is nearly complete, the parking area has been leveled, and work on a foundational platform is underway in preparation for building construction beginning in May.