Update, June 9, 2022 – The Feast of Pentecost!
The Story
In the Spring of 2016, the Vestry and leadership of St Stephen’s agreed to undertake a thorough review of our buildings and grounds, and to develop a Master Plan to address deferred maintenance, accessibility, and the need for improvements and renovations to our worship, meeting, and gathering spaces. Committees were convened and meetings were held, consultants were engaged and many refreshments were served. Our goals were three-fold:
To strengthen our congregation
To welcome our neighbors
To serve our community
In the Summer of 2017 we undertook a search for an architect to help us with our goals, and hired the firm of Goring & Straja. Principal architect Jim Goring and his staff helped us develop our long list of goals and ideas. Again, committees were convened and meetings were held, and many refreshments were served. In the Fall of 2018 the Vestry approved the resulting comprehensive Master Plan for St Stephen’s Church, and embarked on a major capital campaign to raise funds to support the plan.
The Giving in Gratitude campaign was launched in early Spring of 2019, and concluded on St Stephen’s Day in early September that year. The congregation raised $3.5 million in pledges, and set about addressing the matter of determining what from the Master Plan we would undertake first. With early gifts in hand, we spent the Summer of 2019 making much-needed improvements to our Preschool and classroom spaces, and addressing some of our major deferred maintenance, safety, and accessibility concerns.
Work on the plans and on aligning our goals with our budget has continued, including the addition of chancel design consultant Terry Eason, specialist in Episcopal and Anglican church architecture. During the Pandemic slowdown of 2020, we conducted a search for a reputable construction company, and in May of 2021 we signed a contract with Oliver & Co. With limits and delays introduced by the Pandemic, we are in the Summer of 2021 on the brink of beginning work on a major renovation of our sanctuary. Below see a Goring & Straja’s rendering of the new entrance. Scroll down for pull-down menus that include more details and updates.
Update, June 2, 2022 – Down to the wire!
Update, May 26, 2022 – How much more detailed can it get?
Update, May 19, 2022 – Really super finishing details
Update, May 12, 2022 – Still more finishing details
Update, May 5, 2022 – More finishing details
Update, April 27, 2022 – The return of the Pews
Update, April 13, 2022 – More floors and reredos work
Update, April 6, 2022 – Refinishing the floors
Update, March 28, 2022 – Ladders and lights
Update, March 21, 2022 – Ladders and lights
Update, March 14, 2022 – Narthex wall, finish carpentry, paint
Update, March 7, 2022 – Stained-glass windows return!
Update, February 24, 2022 – New furniture arrives!
Update, February 17, 2022 – Stained-glass window restoration!
Update, February 10, 2022 – Sacristy cabinets, hardwood floors
Update, January 20, 2022 – New furniture!
Update, January 13, 2022 – Patio progress, pulpit, and more
Update, December 23, 2021 – Reredos demo and patio install
Update, December 16, 2021 – Interiors: doors, walls, windows
Update, December 9, 2021 – Paving the patio, finish work begins
Update, December 2, 2021 – Machines, workers, patio progress
Update, November 18, 2021 – The new entrance takes shape!
Update, November 18, 2021 – The new entrance takes shape!
Update, November 4, 2021 – Progress indoors and outdoors
Update, October 28, 2021 – Construction comes to the office!
Update, September 22, 2021 – Demolition continues apace!
Update, September 14, 2021 – Demolition begins!
Update, August 3, 2021 – Chancel Design Field Trip!
Update, Apr 8, 2021 – Clearing out the choir loft!
Update, June 23, 2021 – Construction drawings!
Update, July 19, 2021 – Architectural renderings!
Update, July 19, 2021 – New altar furnishings!
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Campaign Prayer
Almighty and everliving God, ruler of all things in heaven and earth, hear our prayers for this parish family. Strengthen the faithful, arouse the careless, and restore the penitent. Grant us all things necessary for our common life, and bring us all to be of one heart and mind within your holy Church; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (BCP, p. 817)