It has been quite a while since the session has talked with you about the bell tower project, but it is not because we have not been busy.  After we presented to you the initial information that our bell tower was deteriorating and causing damage to the rest of the building as well, we hired an architect who looked at the structure with an independent contractor.  They determined that the structure had deteriorated to the point of being unsound.  

 
The architect then prepared four different design plans and presented them to session.  One of them was to rebuild the structure as it currently appears, but with contemporary materials and minor structural changes to improve the stability of the original design.  When we asked how long that design would last compared to the others, the architect said that, while there were no guarantees with any structure, it would last as long as the other designs because of improvements in building materials. Session voted to take down our current unsound structure and replace it with a structure that is our current design, but with the addition of a limestone Celtic cross which would complement the architectural design of our building.  We wanted the visible witness to our faith.  The cost of the cross will be taken from memorial funds that almost all of you have contributed to over the years.

 

The architect then drew up the construction plans and documents for bids, worked with the building inspector, and put the plans out to three pre-vetted construction firms for bid and prepared for us bid summaries.  We chose the lowest bid, by far, submitted by a company named Pearson Construction, a local Michigan- based company.

The project has grown as we discovered other problems associated, but not directly related to, the project.  The major pieces of that include removing a chimney we no longer use and re-roofing there. Closing up the south end gable.  Replacing flashing, some damaged, and some missing.  Patching and repairing the ceiling of the outside front porch. Re-plastering and repairing the interior damage from the leaks. Removing and repairing our front steps, replacing the brick with material that looks like blue stone but is actually more slip resistant and moisture resistant than brick. There are other things like brushing and painting steel lintels that are rusting.  We decided to do this work now because we will have scaffolding in place and skilled workers on site… rather than have to have them all return at a later date with an increased cost.

The architect will continue to work with us in securing the building permits, working with the construction company, and inspecting the work as it progresses.  The initial drawings, working construction drawings, bid work, interfacing with the building inspectors (which included securing variances), obtaining construction permits, oversight of the actual construction and meeting with session to answer questions and give advice as we make decisions has cost the church $9,000. 

We will be meeting with the construction company and the architect this week to receive their recommendation as to whether we can begin work immediately or if we need to wait till spring.  We hope to make that decision next Sunday. 

We are looking at a total cost for the entire project of approximately $120,000.  This is a lot of money, but we believe with God’s help and yours, we can do it as good stewards of this house of worship.  Session has decided not to seek an outside loan, but instead to loan the money to ourselves by cashing in some of our investments.  We will give you the details of that information later.  Today we wanted to just give you an overview of what we have been doing and what has been decided so far.

We will be having periodic “town hall” type meetings throughout the project with the first to be held in a few weeks.  The construction documents are on the table in the welcome center if you would like to look at them. 

Most of us enter the building from the parking lot; and for some of us it has been years since we have even looked at the bell tower or front steps.  We urge you to go out the front door of the church today and see for yourself some of the damage and the missing brick in the tower. You can then just take the east sidewalk to fellowship hall and the church pot-luck lunch. 

Feel free to ask any session member or Pastor Pat about the project… although we may need to answer, “I’m not sure, but I’ll find out.”  Please pray for the project and how you can best financially support it.