Work on the Courtyard and Columbarium is expected to begin before summer. All hardscape will be removed in order to upgrade the drainage and electrical systems. The flower beds will be reworked, and the beautiful live oak and surrounding bed will be preserved along with the beloved statue of St. Francis. Lighting will be upgraded to illuminate outdoor events. The wall facing 30th Street will be demolished and rebuilt as a columbarium of similar design.
We are now enjoying the substantial completion of the renovation of the Nave.
The Schoenstein organ is installed and fully operational; new furnishings have taken their place among our historic pews; plaster walls and new pendant fixtures lighten the space; the floor to ceiling reredos is adorned with the recently gold-leafed main cross; the patterned tile floor leads us all toward the altar; the new stained glass window completes the original collection. The Narthex now welcomes us into a worship space that reflects our past and celebrates our future.
The clergy vesting area is starting to take shape and the Carillon is clean and ready for Easter!
Connecting the display pipes so they may speak. Things heard but not seen. Building the organ takes expertise and gymnastic skills.
Here’s a preview of New Holland’s beautiful case work around the organ up in the gallery.
We had a handful of church members help with unloading various pieces of furniture for the church: cushions, kneelers, and more! We are so thankful for those who used part of their Spring Break in this way!
Welcome the Windows! – The colors are amazing.
Reinstallation of pews atop our freshly tiled and cured floors.
Reinstallation of the pews atop our freshly tiled and cured floors.
Reinstallation of the pews atop our freshly tiled and cured floors.
Reinstallation of paneling outside the quire and reconstruction of the paneling behind the altar. The beginning of re-staining begins!
Tiles floors are going down!
The bold colors and imagery with the grapes and wheat is taken from our preexisting windows. We can’t wait to enjoy this window in worship from inside the church.
The white oak tracery for the new altar window is done. Beautiful work by Nathan Stanton.
Finishing out the window trim in preparation of tracery installation.
Hardwiring AV equipment, fire alarms, emergency lighting, as well as overhead pendants.
Re-wiring continues to reach great heights as seen in this carillon cabin photo. Read more about St. Alban’s carillon here!
Photo 1 – Big hole – access for plumbing to the new ADA family bathroom
Photo 2 – Plumbing, electrical, data, fire alarm……. lots of holes
Photo 3 – Tower room holes for recessed lighting
Reaching new heights for electrical work!
Please do not be alarmed by the dark color; this is the first of several coats of this fascinating process before the final plaster is applied.
The former women’s vesting room off of the Narthex is being framed out to accommodate a new ADA Family Bathroom and Lounge. The exterior door will be filled in, and the former tiny women’s bathroom will be repurposed as a closet.
Seating and a freestanding changing table will complete the new space with the St. Francis window remaining visible to the all when the RR is not in use.
All stained glass windows will be removed for repair and restoration. All window frames will be stripped and repainted both inside and out. Isothermal glazing will be added to each window – clear protective glass on the outside and art glass on the inside. The two windows in Higgins Parlor are examples of this process.
Installation of the protective glass will be done all at once and will precede that of the art glass which will be returned in stages as individual restoration is completed.
Michael Larsen and his faithful assistant Ada are capturing images from the altar cross for a photo essay of unique St. Alban’s architecture and artifacts to be displayed throughout the campus.
The sacristy will be enhanced with the addition of cabinetry both above the sink and on the opposite wall which will include a built in ironing board. A long needed piscina sink for the proper disposal of communion wine will be incorporated into the new kitchen counter.
Cabinetry for clergy vestments is being reconfigured for better storage and accessibility for more priests (image 1). The long-sealed existing door to the vesting area has been reopened to create better traffic flow (image 2). Exterior work to this area also includes a new canopy over the entrance to protect from the elements and an improved handrail for the staircase.
When removing the carpet in the balcony and stairs, the orginal wood was discovered to be in fine shape. The floors on the stairs and in the balcony will be refinished. The risers will be painted in a contrasting shade, and step lighting will be installed to help eliminate any former trip hazards.
Lifting and lightening the Narthex for a more welcoming space will include a coffered ceiling, tile flooring, and built-in storage cabinets for bulletins and other supplies. New interior doors with glass panels and audio speakers will enable ushers and others to see and hear what is going on in the Nave without disturbing worship.
A new vesting area adjacent to the organ chamber will be built out with cabinetry and closets in a newfound space.
The pendant fixtures in the nave are currently under transformation. The outward decorative casings will remain the same; the inner workings are being replaced with versatile LED mechanisms which will allow for a variety of lighting combinations ranging from a warm bath of general lighting for Sunday services to uplighting, downlighting, and dimming for special effect.
Additional fixtures will spotlight the cross and the baptismal font.
Unbeknownst to most of us, there is very limited access to the crawl space under the nave and narthex; in fact, in one spot the only way to get under the church is by shimmying through the AC ductwork. Holes are being cut in the concrete floor so that workers can get under the building to reinforce with new beams and footings in preparation for the new tile flooring and to install the plumbing for the new ADA bathroom.
Something that many of us do not realize is that there is a lot more to a pipe organ than meets the eye. The largest pipes usually remain unseen in a chamber out of view. In preparation for our new Schoenstein organ, our current organ chamber has been emptied to accomodate the new configuration of pipes. Today’s photos show the chamber in our nave in its current state and the construction of pipes in the California factory that will find their new home here in September.
Substantial demo has already occurred: flooring and pews have been removed, the Reuter organ has been dismantled and sold, the stained glass windows are at the glass studio being refurbished, the narthex ceiling is gone in preparation for a new coffered design, and the support spaces have been gutted and are ready for renovation. All sacred items have been carefully removed and are safe in storage out of harm’s way. The altar, pulpit, and lectern remain in place encased in protective structures. Signage and barriers will be in place to remind all that the church building is now a construction zone. We hope your enthusiasm and curiosity will be satisfied with our regular updates and photos of the progress.