A Welcoming Place to Match Our Welcoming Hearts
St. Mary’s Renovation
Accessibility • Safety • Hospitality • Environmental Responsibility
We have been working toward this remodel a decade. Covid put a big pause on our plans, but we are finally ready to turn our dreams into a reality! New carpet. Restoring and expanding elevator access. Remodeled main floor bathrooms and kitchen. Solar panels. And more!
Thanks to your generosity, we reached our fundraising goal! Working with our architects from Robertson Sherwood, and our contractor, McKenzie Commercial, we have almost finished construction!
New Details (As of December 4)
Electricians have finished our new door and buzzer system.
We are continuing to do some work on the new lifts to finish making them as user friendly as possible. Thank you for your patience. In the meantime, staff are available to help you and answer your questions.
The Guild Room has new blinds!
Solar panels are up and running!
Some Recap:
The small windows in the doors from the narthex to the back of the church have been replaced with large windows. We are excited about this expanded view of the sanctuary.
The work room cabinetry has been installed.
The Guild Room floor has been refinished. It's gorgeous!
New windows were cut into the top of the wooden entrance doors on 13th Avenue to allow more natural light into the narthex.
Fixtures, doors, and windows have been installed, with the exception of a new alley door and the new exit door in the sanctuary by the pulpit.
The new water fountain and water bottle refill station is installed and running
Cabinets, lighting, and new flooring has been installed!
We have walked through the building with parishioner Peter Knight-Sheen to start talking the vision on signage when the renovation is complete.
The ceilings in the hallways have been opened up. Our space will feel so much bigger, brighter, and more welcoming when this project is finished!
The Berktold Hall side has a new roof.
In order to make the building as accessible as possible, a second lift (elevator) has been added.
The new vestment closet on the top floor, which was previously part of the conference room, has been added.
The single door entrance to the Guild Room has been cut to accommodate the future double doors.
The plans now include raising that ceiling up to allow more space and light and more welcoming and hospitable feel to the space.
Many work room items, including the copier and paper cutter, have been moved to the office that Judy Alison and the Sunday School team share in the Sunday School wing. If you need access to any of those items and don’t know how to get to them, please find a staff member to help you.
Staff and ministry mailboxes have been removed as part of the demolition. All items that were left in the mailboxes were labeled and saved.
Questions? We would love to chat with you! Reach out to a committee member: Terrie S, the Rev. Bingham Powell, Flossie B, or Louise Fortuna. If you don’t have our contact information, Bingham and Louise are listed on the clergy and staff page
Accessibility
Improving accessibility means
restoring access to the Sunday School wing and Berktold Hall by replacing our broken lift.
expanding access to the top floor - where our choir practices and groups meet in our conference room - by adding lift access.
renovating the restrooms to include accessible stalls and sinks.
new flooring that makes it easier for wheelchairs and walkers to maneuver.
Safety
Improving safety means
replacing our old carpet. The old carpet is past its life span. It cannot be stretched anymore and is a tripping hazard.
replacing carpet on the stairs with a slip-resistant material to help prevent tripping.
replacing our stairwell handrails with new handrails that are less likely to catch purses or jackets.
adding a new exit in the sanctuary. Our current exit doors meet code requirements, but after many discussions with parishioners, we see value in adding an exit near the front of the church.
replacing windows in the Guild Room and staff offices so they can open.
abating asbestos so that it is not a danger when repairs are made to the building.
Hospitality
Improving hospitality means
renovating our restrooms so they are clean and welcoming facilities.
renovating our small kitchen to replace broken flooring and appliances, and to generally create a space that meets our current needs.
creating a new welcome center that invites visitors into our church home.
widening the entrance to the Guild Room to enhance the use of that space for receptions and coffee hours.
Environmental Responsibility
Improving environmental responsibility means
adding solar panels to the top of the Berktold Hall roof to power our many energy needs.
replacing old lighting with LEDs and bringing in more natural light when possible.
considering environmental impact in every element of this renovation project.
