Onward and Upward!

An update on our summer Giving for Growth priorities

Although summer can often be a time for relaxation and respite, St. Clement’s is working routinely and faithfully throughout the summer to upgrade many of our          ongoing capital requirements. With the gratified phase we are at now, this is the present upgrade status of our current and essential projects.  

Windows

An upgrade order has been issued for the purchase of new windows. The installation, taking place late summer/early fall, will cover all church windows with the exception of the stained glass in the sanctuary and those in Canon Nicholson Hall, which will follow at a later time. The Early Learning School is very pleased that the new windows have screens, which will shield the children from flying insects. With our extensive church window replacement, we are expected to save about $12,000 annually in our heating bill!

Organ Repair

With the church being somewhat less busy during the summer, the work for our main organ will include upgrade repairs. This will be the first time in about 15 years that the organ will have a full makeover. With some random key stickiness and stops, this is a much-needed repair.  

Accessibility  

The Lift, which provides access for many to our worship and community spaces, is being repaired. This major step for accessibility will again be expected to be done over the summer/early fall when the church is less busy.

Upgrades to the Early Learning School

An installation of a new washing-up kitchen is being   installed in the Early Learning School. This will result in improved safety and efficiency for the teachers and staff, and will also relieve congestion in the Canon Nicholson Hall kitchen.  

Debt Repayment  

As we highlighted in our last Anchor article, the repayment of our internal debt is a vital priority. With the affirmative motion at our Special Vestry meeting to move ahead with a payment of $210,000, which has now been repaid, we will consider the timing of the remaining portion of the total debt to be determined as we move forward with all of our campaign priorities.  

Various repairs 

• The Briar Hill kitchen will undergo repairs including installation of a new dishwasher.
  

• Over the Briar Hill Wing, repairs are being made to the roof and eavestrough.
  

•  An accessibility study to identify all areas in the church that could be upgraded to improve accessibility was conducted.  The results of this study will help us determine next steps toward better accessibility throughout the church.  

Some small safety issues are also now being addressed.

• Heat sensors in the basement of the church,

• Repair work on exterior stonework around the church,

• Improving the catch basins at 65 & 67 St. Clements and around the church important  need after experiencing our recent rainfall.

The total cost of this work currently underway is just under $500,000.  We are pleased that we have enough cash received to cover this work and then some, so we expect to continue moving priorities forward throughout the Fall.  There is more to come.

Your support in our Giving for Growth campaign is helping to maintain and preserve the structure of our revered St. Clement’s for now and for our future.