By Darcy Foster, Trustees Chair
Our Trustees are responsible for managing the use and condition of our church property. With a 135-year-old facility, there is always something that needs to be repaired!
At the end of 2023, we updated the list of things that needed to be done, and have been working with volunteers and skilled workers (including a team from one of our AA groups) to do the repairs. At this pace, almost everything on this list will soon be done! We will then move on to the next group of projects.
If you can help with any of the remaining projects, please let the Trustees know. Also, if you would like to help cover some of the costs of the repairs, you may contribute to our Building Fund. Online giving makes it easy to give to the Building Fund, or you can write a check to the church with “Building Fund” noted on the memo line.
Current project list (updated 9/2/24)
- Repair the heater in the Fellowship Hall. (DONE)
- Repair the outlets in the Fellowship Hall. (DONE)
- Fix the heater in the cottage. (DONE)
- Put a tankless water heater in Wesley Cottage. (DONE)
- Replace the faucet and other repairs in Wesley Cottage. (In work)
- Repair the floor in the Sanctuary. (DONE)
- Repair the structure that houses the garbage cans. (DONE)
- Repair the floor in the Fellowship Hall. (DONE)
- Replace the floor covering the Fellowship Hall. (1st phase done)
- Repair the walkway roof that connects the church to the Carriage House. (DONE)
Other significant projects this year
- Irrigation pipe leak – repair (DONE)
- Street-side welcoming sign (DONE)
- Finial for belltower – paint (DONE) and install (being scheduled)
- Unexpected: Repair significant plumbing leak (DONE)
- Unexpected: Repair of sticking front door. (DONE)
- Unexpected: Replacement of Pride flag and flag pole (DONE)
Work being planned
- Replace remaining old flooring in Fellowship Hall
- Memorial garden
- Stained glass windows – shore up
Recent photos of work that’s been done
Here are a few before-and-after photos of improvements and repairs that have been around the church. We are very thankful to volunteers and skilled workers who offered their time at a discount, demonstrating how important this building and its ministries are in our community.
Walkway roof: The walkway that connects the main Sanctuary building to the Carriage House Sunday School building had been leaking, and it had become structurally unsound. Volunteers from the community rebuilt the roof, and members of our Trustees team painted it.
Pride flag: The previous flag had been unceremoniously removed by someone who apparently didn’t appreciate our message that God loves everyone! We were very happy to receive donations of a new flag and flagpole from a community group and a church member. They were installed in a location that would be much more difficult to vandalize.
Fellowship Hall: The flooring had been damaged by furniture and excessive use. The most damaged section was replaced, and we are planning to replace the remainder later.
Bin enclosure: Our garbage/recycling bin enclosure had been deteriorating for many years. It would get patched and repaired, but eventually the entire structure began failing. A group who rents space in our Fellowship Hall offered to take this on as a ministry project. As of March 1, it has been replaced with a sturdy shed that looks good and should last for many years.
Chancel floor: Over a year ago, the piano suddenly dropped a few inches into the chancel floor – during a service! The old-growth redwood floor was generally in good condition, but apparently part of the structure underneath was incomplete. A group that rents space in our Fellowship Hall has a member who is skilled at flooring construction, who repaired the floor and reinstalled the carpet so that the repairs are not visible. It’s very nice to have the piano properly supported now, and to be able to move it where needed without fear it will fall through the floor again!