The Church Renovation Committee continues to work on the renovation of the church. Our current goal is to complete the exterior renovation by this fall, well prior to the 400th celebration next year. The exception to that effort is the tower, which will be renovated as part of the church interior (after 2010). To date, brick and mortar repairs have been made by Conley Brothers (and will continue this summer). Slate roof and flashing repairs, stained glass window restoration, and exterior painting are also on tap for this summer and fall.
To prepare for work after 2010, an architectural code analysis and drawings of the existing church are being prepared by Guernsey Tingle & Associates of Williamsburg. A mechanical study of our existing church heating/cooling systems is being conducted by Hickman-Ambrose of Norfolk. In addition, initial feedback to a list of questions has been obtained from the various individuals and groups currently responsible for the church services. This feedback will be analyzed and incorporated into ongoing work. Additional input by other parishioners will be requested at a later date.
The Committee meets monthly and met on May 6, 2009. A subcommittee was formed to review the forthcoming draft of the church slate roof repair drawings and specifications from Restoration Engineering Inc. (This subcommittee subsequently gathered on May 20th to review the drawings and specifications. Following a discussion of the drawings and bid documents, it was determined to move forward with the package and bidding process after minor comments are incorporated by REI.) Bids were solicited from six roofing companies in June. The goal is to select and hire a company in late June with work completed by mid-September.
In April, eight stained glass companies were contacted regarding restoration of our 33 stained glass windows. Three companies indicated that they were interested, and all three visited the church in April and May to assess the condition of our windows. Two companies provided bid proposals in May. The Committee voted to hire Higgins and Associates of Front Royal. Vestry and funding approvals were subsequently gained. Higgins has already performed some stabilization measures on the Pocahontas window as there was a concern about structural reinforcement prior to hurricane season. In August, four or five windows needing the most repair and/or releading will be removed and taken to the Front Royal studio for restoration. They will be reinstalled in mid to late September when the other windows will be restored onsite over a period of several weeks.
The stained glass restoration work also includes removal of the existing Lexan covers, painting of the wood surrounds and sills, removal of paint from the stone sills, repair of cracked glass, replacement of glazing compound, and installation of new vented laminated glass panels (to protect against vandalism and weather). Bids for painting the remaining woodwork and doors will be solicited by painting subcontractors in July.
If all goes well and the weather cooperates, the Committee hopes to have all exterior work complete in time for the holidays.
Originally published in St. John’s Epistle, July/August 2009.