INFRASTRUCTURE
- Church's Ridge Cap & Slate Roof – The sanctuary roof’s ridge cap is damaged and approximately 10% of the slates need replacement. These problems could lead to interior worship space water damage.
- Sanctuary’s Heating System – Our current natural gas heating system’s emissions contribute to climate change, some sanctuary radiators are cracked, the steam boiler’s repair parts are no longer available, and our inadequate cooling system makes our facilities uncomfortable on warm weather days. We need a new energy-efficient system.
- Energy Envelope – The sanctuary and chapel, built in 1892, are the oldest part of our building. This area has been modified over the years, but very little insulating has been done.
SANCTUARY
- Chancel Platform – Our chancel platform is set too far back from those gathered in our sanctuary. This creates a disconnect between them and our ministers and musicians which makes it difficult, if not impossible, to create the more intimate and participatory worship environment we seek. Additionally, the platform is too small to adequately accommodate all our musicians and their instruments together.
- Chancel Accessibility – The steps to the chancel platform make easy access problematic for those with mobility issues, our elderly members and visitors, and those who use walkers or wheelchairs. This is not compliant with current building codes or our own sense of fairness and desire to be welcoming to all. Our last capital improvement project included some, but not all, accessibility updates. The state granted us a twelve-year extension to complete all of these upgrades and that 2024 deadline is nearing.
- Lighting & Ceiling Fans– Many of our light fixtures and ceiling fans are begining to fail.
Projection Screens – Videos projected on the wall to the chancel’s left have poor image quality, are difficult to see from the sanctuary's right side, and are not visible to those seated in the chancel.
- TV Cameras – We used to broadcast our worship services on local cable TV, then, in 2020, we began online streaming. This became essential to maintaining and expanding our community during the Covid pandemic. Our video tools include three, already outdated, cameras facing the chancel, so speakers and singers in the sanctuary and balcony are not visible online.
- Sound System – Sanctuary sound clarity needs to be improved and other sound problems take away from our worship experience. Also, our hearing assistance devices need to be upgraded.
- Interior Surfaces – Our sanctuary floors, carpets, and walls need refreshing with refinishing, paint, and new carpeting.
CLARK HALL
- Air Conditioning – Currently, Clark Hall is underused because it is not air conditioned. It is difficult and uncomfortable to use in warm weather.
- Lighting & Ceiling Fans – The room's lighting system and ceiling fans need upgrading.
- TV Camera System – Without permanently mounted cameras, activities in Clark Hall are difficult to stream and record which reduces its possible uses and rentability.
- Sound System – There is no sound system in Clark Hall to support worship, after-church programming, and activities.
CHAPEL
- Acoustics – The chapel’s barrel-shaped ceiling creates echoes and reverberations that make it difficult to hear one another even during simple conversations. The room also does not have an installed sound system.
- Usable Space – The chapel’s usable area is reduced by the faux columns on each side and the raised chancel area that is not handicap accessible.
- Streaming Capabilities – We cannot record or stream Chapel services and activities.
