Building Committee Updates

2011

PRELIMINARY Rendering Pictures of New Church

Building Update January 2011

The building is now completely gone and the site has been backfilled with compacted crushed stone preparing the way for the new building. During the next few months we will be working on finalizing the plans for submission to the town for a building permit.

The contractor has determined that completely removing the foyer and building all new is less expensive than trying to modify the foyer the place an attic above it. The new plans will reflect this change. To date we are receiving prices from a laminated wood company and a steel company to compare the less expensive way to build. In either case, the interior will look the same.

In March the pipe organ will be removed from the closet area to make way for construction scheduled to begin in April. We will bring back the electric Hammond organ for the remainder on the time in the Parish hall.

During the next upcoming weeks we will be holding town hall meetings and Adult forums run by the Arts and Interior committee to get your comments and ideas for the interior space. Please watch the bulletin the dates and times.

Thank you for your commitment to the church project and your shared enthusiasm as we work through this project.

Through Gods work and our hands,

2010

Art & Interior Committee, Minutes Dec. 7 2010

Thank you all for attending our outing to St. Mary’s RC Church in Swormville. All in attendance had a chance to view, first hand, the polished concrete floor and other finishes in the newly built church.

Photos from our visit were presented to the committee. The consensus of the members who attended was that the church was very nice although the feel of the church seemed cold due to the fact that all the woodwork was painted.

The majority of the people who attended liked the floor. A vote was held at last night’s meeting after discussion and unanimously voted that a recommendation be made to the congregation St. John’s install a polished concrete floor similar to that of St. Mary’s. We will look to have our floor more beige in concrete color.

The con’s of the flooring is that cracks may be visible if not jointed properly. The polished concrete does not extend completely to the outside wall if the wall has no finishes (drywall) applied to it.

The pro’s are that it is more slip resistant than any other product. It will work excellent with radiant floor heat. It is a very green product and the cost is much less than tile or carpet. If down the road the congregation would want some other finish. A new finish could be applied directly over the concrete slab without any tear up.

We talked about the schedule and the importance of moving forward. To expedite the process, Rick proposed we break up into sub-committees. These committees are as follows with the following people signing up for each. Those missing from attendance will have a chance to join one of the following at the next meeting on Dec. 21^st.

Assembly: (Body of Christ) People. This group will discuss flexible seating, Pews vs. chairs and flooring for the Nave, Narthex, Foyer and Altar platform areas. They will also choose a wall color for the Sanctuary, Sacristy, Storage room, Narthex and Foyer. Committee members are Sandy H., Chris and Wayne C., Don, and Carolly H.

Bath: (Baptism) Water, Font. This group will discuss the font location(s), shape, & materials along with the location of candles, oils, books, etc. A design in the floor under or around the floor should also be discussed. Committee members are Sylvia, Marie R., & Jim S.

Word: (Ambo) This group will discuss the placement of the lectionary. Determine if the existing is used or a new one is constructed or purchased. No one has yet signed on for this committee. Pastor and Rick will work on this until others join.

Meal: (Bread and Wine) This group will discuss the communion setting. Kneeling or standing? Altar rail or none? Design of Altar table. Committee members are Phyllis K., Nancy K., Karen M., & Sandy H.

In order to leave enough time for council & Congregational approval I am recommending the following schedule.

January 2011– Art and interior approves sub-committee recommendations on color scheme, flooring, Altar rail decision, and placement of word, “East wall design, & light fixtures.

We as a committee should be able to work through these choices quickly. 

February 2011 – Council approves color scheme, flooring, Altar rail decision, and placement of word, “East wall design, & light fixture recommendations. Council also approves floor plan. 

March 6^th, 2011 - Congregation presented with color scheme, flooring, Altar rail decision, and placement of word, “East wall design, & light fixture recommendations. Congregation also officially approves floor plan. 

April 2011 - Art & Interior approves Altar & Ambo recommendation by sub-committee. 

May 2011 - Council approval on Altar and Ambo recommendation. 

June 5^th, 2011 – Altar and Ambo recommendation presented to congregation for approval. 

June 2011 - Art & Interior approves Font recommendation by sub-committee. 

July 2011 - Council approval on Font recommendation. 

August 7^th, 2011 – Font recommendation presented to congregation for approval. 

August 2011 – Art & Interior approves seating recommendation by sub-committee. 

September 2011 – Council approval on seating recommendation. 

October 2^nd, 2011 – Seating recommendation presented to congregation for approval. 

This schedule was developed so that items that need to be built or purchased may enough time to be accomplished. 

On November 1^st, the contractor will turn over the new building and we can begin moving in our elements of the church. If we stick to this schedule we will be successful dedication on December 4^th 2011. 

The goal of this committee is to communicate with the congregation as we move forward and to the best of our ability make sure their wishes are heard. If you haven’t done so, please pick up a copy of “Principles for Worship” guide that Pastor and I presented as part of our adult forum. Finally remember, the assembly is the church. “It is also taught that at all times there must be and remain one holy, Christian church. “It is the assembly of all believers among whom the gospel is purely preached and the holy sacraments are administered according to the gospel” (Augsburg Confession, Book of Concord, p.42) 

Thank you for your time and talents,

Through God’s Work and our Hands, we will get it done.

Rick Lipka, Project Manager

Building Update November 2010

I hope as of this writing, it finds everyone well. I want to wish you and your families a Happy Thanksgiving.

Progress on the demolition is going as scheduled. All of the stained glass windows have been removed and stored. The condition of the glass was in very bad condition. Years of sun and wind (prior to installing the Plexiglas) have made the lead very brittle. The glass was packed in crates between insulation to protect them. We will be obtaining costs to see how much it will be to reuse them. The two angel windows and round rose window will be used in the new design. If we find that that the side windows are too expensive to reuse, the glass will be used in some other element of the project such as interior art. The memorial committee and fundraising committee may find other uses for the remaining glass.

The asbestos abatement is nearly complete. A small amount of mastic needs to be removed from the interior and the contractor has started removing roof flashings and shingles.

The new utility pole has just been installed. This will allow for the electrician to start his work of installing a new 200 amp 3 phase service to our complex. We are working on having the main power transferred from the church to our new installation on Friday Nov. 26^th, as the church will be closed for business that day.

After the power is changed over actual demolition can begin. The contractor is going to begin from the rear of the church working toward the front leaving the tower to be pulled down on a Saturday morning.

The Architect has begun the construction document.  Attached  are progress plans showing the outline of the new building along with drawings showing elevations. The builder will now start pricing the building so that during this phase we can tweak the design to stay in budget.

As discussion continues about interior finishes we will be showing you actual materials suggested by the Art and Interior committee for use in the new space. These materials will be on display in the foyer along the newly installed wall.

As always, if you have any questions please feel free to call me at 675-8158.

I thank you for all of your patience, enthusiasm and input as we move towards our goal of building a new building, because as you know we already have a great church, the people of St. John’s.

Through God’s work, and our hands,

Rick Lipka

Progress plans showing the outline of the new

building along with drawings showing elevations.

(Click on any plan number)
A-100
A-101
A-200
A-300

Building Update October 2010

What a beautiful service we had on Oct 10 to say farewell to our church. Since then the contractor has been filling permits with the state and town for Asbestos removal and general demolition. The utilities companies have also been notified and have begun shutting off and capping utilities to the church building. A new pole will be installed shortly in the front of the property so the main electric can be moved out of the church. This will take some coordination as this power services the entire church complex.

Storage has been a main issue.  Some existing pews will be moved into the parish hall for use so that we may save on paid storage space. I will pick up the stored cushions for the pews for your comfort. This will give us the opportunity to determine if we need to fasten the pews to the floor if this option is chosen for the new space. Below is a timetable for the progress of the demolition. This is always subject to change based on how quickly utility companies can act and individual subcontractors complete their tasks.

Interior and pew salvage begins Monday, Nov. 1

Asbestos Abatement begins Monday, Nov. 8 and will last 2 weeks

Window salvage begins, Monday, Nov. 15

Electric transfer and new service installation begins Monday, Nov. 18

Structure demolition begins Monday Dec. 6

Clean up and backfill begin Monday, Dec 20

Saint John’s will be involved in part of the domo process as a means to save money. It has been determined that we will remove the windows along the corridor. If you have carpentry skills and wish to take part in this task please contact either me at 675-8158 or the church office at 668-2152.

Thank you for your involvement and patience. Please continue to honor your pledge and commitment to the general giving budget as we share this vision of a new church building.

In God’s name, through our Hands,

Update From Pastor John on the Current Results of the G.I.F.T Campaign

A Time To Build 

There is a time to break down, and a time to build up:” Ecclesiastes 3:3

 With thanksgiving to God, those present at the congregational meeting on May 16 received the news that the results of the GIFT campaign to raise financial support to build our new church totaled $301,500.00   I am pleased with this news.  The overall project goal has been set at $900,000.00   Having pledges and additional giving and other gifts coming in, we can expect to achieve a three year total giving to the Building Fund of approximately  $450,000.00

 This will require the project goal to be set for six years.  Our first three-year effort to achieve $450,000.00 in the first campaign goal is both generous and achievable.  

Look for updates on the campaign total and for news about the progress for the new build. 

Thanks be to God.  Thanks to everyone who has and will be supporting our ministry and our building fund.  By God’s grace, St. John’s is a community preparing for the future. 

March 31

Proposed Revised Schematic Plan  March 31

March 6

Needs and Feasibility Study Summary Report   Feb 14 

Special Update Jan 28

The following are the "request for qualifications" from the three finalist contractors that were chosen to move on to submit proposals for the construction of our new Worship space. One on these three will be suggested to the Church Council to be our contractor after interviews with them in early March.

The Krog Corporation 
(Large file. High speed Internet connection recommended)

Ledge Creek Development Inc.
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4

Lehigh Construction Group Inc.
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4
Part 5

The following is the preliminary plan that we have narrowed down to work from, along with a preliminary rendering. These will change as they are developed by the design/build architect.

Preliminary Plan

Preliminary Renderings
Exterior
Interior 1
Interior 2


January

2009
December  
November
October
September
August
July 21
July 3
June

Slide Show Presentation of Samples of New Worship Space

PDF Format

Power Point Slide Show Format (Zip file)
 (Requires Microsoft Power Point)

Photo Album

Sample Schematic Drawings of New Worship Space

Option 1
Option 2
Option 3
Option 4