From our 2009 Annual Report

The renovation of our building is an expression of our Parish’s overall renewal in its identity and purpose. As such, some of the goals of our building renovation effort are to enhance the visibility, identity and beauty of St. Paul’s church, physically allowing St. Paul’s to be more accessible, hospitable and flexible in the forms of liturgy. All changes seek to strengthen the integration of the building and its aesthetic as well as increase the building’s beauty through the use of design and natural, native materials.

In 2009, we identified the following as things we wanted to achieve in the building renovation effort over 2009 and the first half of 2010

1. Select an architect;
2. creation of a comprehensive plan;
3. identify priorities for the possibilities identified by the parish;
4. develop a master schedule and budget;
5. conduct a capital campaign;
6. obtain bids for the work to be done; and
7. select a contractor

Susan Jones of Atelier Jones was chosen as the architect. She has shown her ability to deeply listen and respond to the emerging hopes and needs of the congregation and the building renovation team.

Meetings of the consultant group were held often weekly during the year 2009 and the first part of 2010. The core consultant group consists of our Rector, Mother Melissa Skelton, Fr. Ralph Carskadden, Mark Taylor, Catharine Reid, John Hill, Ellen Hill, Denise Crawford, Daryl Schlick. Many other have contributed as special skills were needed and special interests inspired.

Several times during the year, the opinions and thinking of the Parish were formally requested in the form of town hall meetings and tours of the building. Susan Jones, architect, and Larry Brouse, owner’s representative, were also present at these town hall meetings.

Property lines were surveyed and physically located and building space measured by laser technology so as-built drawings were drawn giving us precisely what space is available for any changes we as a parish choose to make. We have just requested preliminary bids from three contractors to further refine the comprehensive plan, list of priorities, and the master schedule and budget. And the capital campaign begins.

With the assistance of Susan and her staff; and Larry Brouse, our owner’s representative, we are confident the parish can complete our goals of creating a comprehensive plan, and an efficient, safe building with an aesthetic vision consistent with our parish culture.