At JMK5 Holdings, we take great pride in revitalizing properties in ways that uplift communities, but few projects have meant as much to us and Jerome Karam as the Leslie Chagra Karam Education Center in Friendswood. We were honored to see this deeply personal and faith-driven initiative recently featured in a published editorial highlighting its ongoing impact on Catholic youth education and community engagement.
Let’s explore the story behind the education center—how it was conceived, designed, and fully funded as a gift to the parish community at Mary Queen Catholic Church. It highlights the spiritual and architectural elements that make this space not just a building, but a sanctuary of growth, prayer, and formation for generations of students.
For us, the piece serves as more than a spotlight—it’s a reflection of our values as a company and as a family. The Leslie Chagra Karam Education Center embodies everything JMK5 Holdings stands for: legacy, service, and purpose-driven development that extends far beyond real estate.
A Vision Born from Faith and Family
The Leslie Chagra Karam Education Center was envisioned as more than a building—it was meant to be a sacred space where young people in Friendswood could grow in their Catholic faith, find community, and experience spiritual formation in a welcoming environment. As members of the Mary Queen Catholic Church community, we recognized the need for a space that felt truly dedicated to youth—one that was vibrant, meaningful, and spiritually grounded.
This project was never approached as a typical development. It was entirely self-funded as a gift to the parish and its families, with no outside donations involved. The goal was to create something lasting—something that reflected a deep commitment to service, legacy, and the transformative power of faith in action.
The center is named in honor of Leslie Chagra Karam, a woman whose compassion, strength, and devotion to family and faith continue to inspire everyone involved in the project. Her name serves as a constant reminder of the heart behind this initiative: a commitment to community, tradition, and the spiritual growth of the next generation.
Through this effort, JMK5 Holdings and Jerome Karam demonstrated how purpose-driven development can build more than just structures—it can create lasting spaces of hope, reflection, and connection.
Saint Charbel and the Center’s Spiritual Identity
In shaping the spiritual identity of the Leslie Chagra Karam Education Center, one figure stood out as a guiding presence—Saint Charbel. As a revered Maronite monk and priest from Lebanon, Saint Charbel is celebrated around the world for his miraculous legacy, unwavering devotion to prayer, and spiritual discipline. His influence spans continents and cultures, resonating especially within the Lebanese Catholic community.
Given the Karam family’s Lebanese heritage, naming the education center in honor of Saint Charbel was a meaningful decision that bridged ancestry with faith. His example serves as a powerful model for students, reminding them that holiness is possible through simplicity, humility, and deep personal prayer.
Saint Charbel’s story—marked by miraculous signs and healing after his death—offers young Catholics an inspiring connection to the divine. His presence in the center imbues the space with both cultural significance and spiritual depth, grounding it in a legacy of devotion that transcends generations. For students at Mary Queen Catholic Church, Saint Charbel is not just a namesake—he’s a spiritual companion on their journey of formation.
Renovating with Purpose: A Look Inside the Project
Transforming the former facility into what is now the Leslie Chagra Karam Education Center required vision, faith, and a deep attention to detail. The project, led by JMK5 Holdings in collaboration with parish leadership and a team of dedicated architects and contractors, was approached not just as a renovation—but as a spiritual reawakening of the space.
Every corner of the building was touched by this mission. From the moment you step inside, the transformation is evident. Structural upgrades included brand-new walls, a state-of-the-art air conditioning system, a modern sprinkler system, an advanced sound system, and durable new flooring. Each material and layout choice was made with both functionality and comfort in mind, ensuring the space would serve youth for years to come.
But more than that, the space was designed to embody Catholic identity. Thematic paint colors, inviting furniture, and custom breakout rooms created a warm, student-friendly atmosphere. The design intentionally incorporated sacred elements throughout: the Stations of the Cross adorn the hallway walls, classrooms are named after saints, and sacred imagery is present at every turn.
Unique additions like the Holy Spirit Wall, the Holy Rosary Hallway, and the Cucina San Pasqual gathering area were introduced to give the space both energy and reverence. These features help make the building not just a place of learning—but a place of spiritual discovery, reflection, and belonging. It is through this blend of thoughtful architecture and meaningful symbolism that the education center fulfills its mission: to inspire faith from the inside out.
Designing a Living Catechism
One of the guiding principles behind the Leslie Chagra Karam Education Center was that the space itself should be a teaching tool—a living catechism where the environment reinforces the lessons of the Catholic faith. Every design decision was made with this in mind, creating a place where young people could experience their religion through daily encounters with sacred imagery, saintly role models, and spaces of reflection.
Upon entering, students are greeted by a welcoming quote from Our Lady of La Salette: “Come near, children, do not be afraid.” This sets the tone for a space that is both reverent and inviting. A dedicated wall honors 11 teenage saints, carefully chosen to mirror the age and challenges of the students who walk the halls. These saints serve as relatable examples of holiness, courage, and conviction in a modern world.
The Holy Rosary Hallway provides a visual meditation path, complete with depictions of the Rosary’s mysteries and the virtues associated with each. Alongside it, the Stations of the Cross guide students through Christ’s Passion, fostering a deeper emotional and spiritual connection to their faith.
At the center of the hallway, the Holy Spirit Wall stands as a bold visual reminder of the sacrament of Confirmation—encouraging students to embrace their journey of faith with purpose and pride.
Saints as Mentors: Building Rooms with Meaning
In every classroom of the Leslie Chagra Karam Education Center, students are surrounded by the lives and legacies of the saints. These spaces were named with great intention—not only to honor these figures but to help students see them as mentors for their own spiritual journeys.
Each saint chosen offers a specific lesson. Saint Ignatius of Loyola, founder of the Jesuits, is a powerful example of conversion through study and discipline. Saint Teresa of Avila, a Doctor of the Church, offers a model of deep mysticism and feminine strength in faith. Saint Jerome, known for translating the Bible into Latin, reminds students of the value of scripture and lifelong learning.
One particularly meaningful room is the Sacred Heart of Jesus Room, which includes stained glass salvaged from the church’s original sanctuary. On its wall hangs a family prayer passed down from generation to generation, originally written by Marilyn Mansour Karam. It’s a daily invocation students can adopt as their own—a spiritual heirloom embedded into the heart of the building.
Modern saints are also represented. Saint Carlo Acutis, a tech-savvy teen known for documenting Eucharistic miracles online, shows students how faith and digital life can coexist. Saints like Maria Goretti and Padre Pio offer stories of forgiveness, suffering, and spiritual endurance—all timeless virtues that resonate with youth today.
A Growing Legacy in Friendswood
Today, the Leslie Chagra Karam Education Center is a vibrant part of the Friendswood faith community, serving as a hub for youth formation and spiritual growth. It hosts sacramental preparation classes, youth group gatherings, fellowship events, and personal moments of prayer and reflection. For many students, it’s not just where they learn about their faith—it’s where they begin to live it.
Families in the parish have shared how the center has become a spiritual anchor in their children’s lives. The symbolism, design, and intentional layout have created a welcoming space where faith feels approachable and meaningful. By surrounding young people with powerful visuals, saintly examples, and opportunities for community, the center reinforces Catholic identity in a way that’s immersive and enduring.
This project continues to reflect what JMK5 Holdings stands for: revitalizing spaces with purpose and using our resources to build not only structures, but stronger, more spiritually connected communities.
Looking Ahead: A Center That Lives On
As the education center celebrates its fourth year, its impact is only beginning to take root. Looking forward, there are plans to expand programming, deepen spiritual engagement, and continue adapting the space to meet the evolving needs of the parish’s youth.
Our hope is that the Leslie Chagra Karam Education Center continues to serve as a source of light, reflection, and transformation for decades to come. Guided by the same spirit of generosity and faith that inspired its creation, the center stands ready to support future generations in Friendswood, offering them a place to grow, question, pray, and lead.
At JMK5 Holdings, we remain committed to ensuring that this building remains a dynamic, faith-filled resource for the community we care so deeply about.
From Recognition to Reflection
The recent editorial feature honoring this project was a meaningful moment for all of us at JMK5 Holdings. It affirmed what we’ve always believed—that when development is guided by purpose and anchored in faith, it has the power to transform not just properties, but people and communities.
The Leslie Chagra Karam Education Center is more than a building. It’s a living legacy of compassion, tradition, and vision. It reflects a desire to give back, to uplift, and to plant seeds of faith that will flourish in the lives of young people for generations to come.
We are grateful to everyone who helped bring this vision to life and to the Friendswood community for embracing it so fully. As we look to the future, we remain guided by the same mission that made this project possible: building with heart, faith, and purpose.
