We’re entering the ninth month of worshipping in Fellowship Hall, and the recent arrival of the new chairs for the sanctuary indicates that we can all start praying for timely completion of the renovation project so we can move the chairs to where they belong.

Good progress is being made. We now have a level floor (the rise from the front to the rear of the sanctuary was two steps — who knew?), new windows, insulation, and drywall. The chancel at the front of the church is being formed, as is the new and improved narthex. The repairs to the Education Building are also almost done.

Because the funding for much of the renovation project was from insurance proceeds for repair of damages after Hurricane Wilma, renovations have included securing the entire building against future storms.

The first step in the process was a new roof. Hurricane-proof windows have been installed throughout the facility, and hurricane-proof doors will also be added. Once the doors are installed and the three large window areas at the south of the sanctuary are secure, we anticipate being eligible for lower windstorm insurance rates.

We have had some surprises along the way, as is the case with any renovation project. We discovered that there is less than six inches between the windows on the south side of the sanctuary and the organ, which exposes the organ to our South Florida weather (we were shocked to find out that in some places only panes of glass separated the organ from the outside) nor enough room to put in new windows. The wooden edifice currently “gracing” the street side of the sanctuary is designed to protect this area in case of a major storm and to provide a weather-proof work area to protect the organ during window replacement.

We have tried to incorporate sustainable building practices where practical. One innovation that was the result of hours of discussion is the facing material that will be used to replace the upper windows on the south side of the sanctuary. In order to protect the organ, the windows will be replaced with solid wall material, and the exterior will be faced with colored glass fragments set into stucco. This will mimic the appearance of stained glass, and will include fragments of the old stained glass, along with new colored glass. The glass manufacturer told us that this is a unique use of the glass fragments that they sell—it’s like glass terrazzo.

The last of the major permitting hurdles has just been passed, and construction should continue at a good pace through the fall. Keep an eye out for ways that you can be involved in the completion of the renovations that will be included in the November newsletter.

–Janet P., Renovations Committee Chair