Renovations to the front of the Worship Space (Chancel) & Roof Replacement

Thanksgiving for current configuration of chancel area

On Sunday, May 31, 2015 at 10:00 a.m. worship we offered prayers of thanksgiving and shared photos of celebrations and events of members over the past 60 years in the present worship space.

Click here to view Gallery of Photos

Why do we need to renovate?

The roof is part of the original church built in 1954. It is made of cement shingles with no insulation. In times of heavy snow the roof has had significant leaks into the sanctuary. The plan is to replace the roof to include insulation to increase the R-value from R2 to R42. Won’t that be nice in the winter and the summer!

The windows in the chancel are also a part of the original architecture. many years the wood around the windows has been rotting and the windows leak air. (Ever noticed the acolytes having difficulty lighting candles? The wind sometimes blows them out!) The number of windows has also made projection a challenge (thus the duct tape and styrofoam).

When will construction begin and how will we pay for it?

In April, the Council voted to hire Price Construction to replace the sanctuary roof and renovate the chancel. The roof replacement will begin soon. Renovation of the chancel area will begin on Wednesday, June 3, 2015.  Construction will take approximately 8 weeks. An anonymous donor gave $175,000 for the project. Based on the bid from Price Construction, the council approved $145,000 for both projects.

What will the front of the worship space (chancel) look like?

The worship and music team, representatives from building and Sketch of front wall of chancel after constructiongrounds, Liz Hollers, and Pastor Molly have met with our architect, Warren Hampton to plan the arrangement of worship furnishings both during and after construction.

What will the worship space look like during construction?

Beginning on Sunday, June 7, a sheet will be placed in front of the chancel to block the view of the construction zone. We will reconfigure the primary worship furnishings (baptismal font, altar, pulpit, and seating) to accommodate the loss of space in the chancel area. It will be different! Some of the windows will be covered to accommodate the roof replacement. There will be no projection during construction; we will use printed bulletins and the red hymnal.


Adult Forums: Architecture and Theology of Worship Space

Architecture for Worship is a two part video that presents the work of Ed Sovik, a Minnesota architect, whose 50 years of work encompassed over 400 churches. His ideas have had a major influence on the development of religious architecture in the U.S. since WWII. By exploring his work, we will discover new ways to think and talk about our worship space.

Sunday, May 3, 10:00 a.m.- 10:45 a.m. Architecture for Worship Part I

In the first session, we will be introduced to the four primary areas of our worship space: the altar, the pulpit, the baptismal font, and the place for gathered assembly. The arrangement of these prime symbols reflects our theology, our worship practices, and our liturgy. By their arrangement and design, they can support or hinder the worship of the congregation.

Sunday, May 17, 10:00 a.m.- 10:45 a.m. Architecture for Worship Part II

In the second session, we will explore some of the many aspects which make our worship spaces work in both practical and symbolic ways. These include the importance of flexible space, the use of lighting—stained and clear glass along with artificial lighting, the placement of music ministry, and inherited spaces. Used properly, all of these can add to the richness of our experience of worship.

Wednesday, May 27, 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Architecture for Worship Part I and Part II

We will watch and discuss both Part I & Part II of the video. This is the same video presented on May 3 & May 17.