It has been months of work by many volunteers, but we are ready to announce revisions to the original sanctuary renewal concept that will match our congregation hopes with the nearly $170,000 raised.

Pews

We will remove the pews, replace the center support board with solid wood and upholster the seats.  We will reinstall the pews at an angle, allowing better sight lines for the altar and more wheelchairs spaces.

Audio Video

We will replace the screen and the projector with better, updated equipment to enhance our visual experience. We will continue to use the same swinging post to hide the screen when not in use, but we will move the post back to the last beam in the chancel area, so that when it lowers it does not hinder movement in the chancel. We will reroute the sound jacks in the chancel to limit cords and clutter.

Chancel (Stage)

The altar and the multilayer pedestal that the altar sits upon will not move. This means the choir will not be able to be seated behind the altar, as in the original concept. Instead, we will raise the entire floor of the chancel to the level that the communion rails currently sit. The communion rails will only be visible on the Sundays they are needed for communion.

Raising the floor to this level, will make the entire chancel one level, except the pedestal holding the altar. This will allow the grand piano and organ to be placed next to each other on one side and the band to be along the other  wall as depicted in the original concept. Three foot vanity walls will be built in front of the band and organ to hide their clutter from the congregation. The new hollow floor will allow for jacks, outlets and ports to easily be installed in key places to hide the clutter of wires. The original pulpit will move off of the steps and become a portable piece of furniture. Craftsman will take the wood of the lectern and create a new baptismal font, similar to our current font, but larger to balance the pulpit on the opposite side of the chancel.

Nave (seating area)

The stained glass windows will be framed to make them stand out from the brick wall. Soffits matching the current speaker soffits in the chancel will be built to cover the two side aisles of the nave. Spot lights will be in these soffits to both add lighting for parishioners and to highlight our stained glass.

Flooring

All of the red carpet will be replaced with durable carpet tiles, similar in manufacture to what is in the Fellowship Hall. No color for the carpet has been determined. The flooring under the pews will be covered with vinyl planks, simulating hardwood.

Hoped for additions if money allows…

• upholstering the back of the pews
• lightly refinishing the pews
• installing duct work in the soffits for future air conditioning improvements
• making the sacristy lounge entrance door a double door
• sound board improvements

Major items in original concept not being considered…

• skylights
• sacristy and sacristy lounge remodeling
• office suite remodeling
• remodeling of the sanctuary loft
• new air conditioning
• replacing the rear wall of the knave with plate glass
• purchase and use of any pew chairs

So, what now?

Property Chair Geoff Campbell and member Tom Marquart will work together to choose one of three contractors that formally bid on this project. They will then work with the contractor to obtain the necessary permits and commission the necessary drawings for construction. Geoff and Tom will also appoint a separate group that will choose the color of the carpeting, vinyl planks, paint for new drywall and refinished wood. It is hoped that construction will begin in April. At this time, we do not know how construction will affect our worship life in the sanctuary or when construction will be completed.