Construction on the chancel has begun in preparation for our new Richards, Fowkes & Co. Organ!

The choir desks have been removed for storage until construction is complete. The decorative wood panels along the sides of the chancel have been removed for acoustical remediation before being re-installed. The knee walls from the 1995 renovation surrounding the chancel are removed.

Week Two sees scaffolding erected in preparation for acoustic stiffening of the walls.

The chancel ceiling panels will be cleaned and relighted to highlight the early 20th century stenciling.

Dust, dust, and more dust!

As the existing plaster is torn away from the sacristy door-well, workers removing the current layer of plaster revealed the original east wall of the church that has allowed us another glimpse into previous chancel decorations before the expansion of the chancel in 1938. The original wall stenciling was believed to have been destroyed during the 1938 renovations (when we were installing a different organ!).

Filling in the gaps.

Windows and interior openings into the organ chamber are getting filled. The window openings on the north wall are being enclosed as our new organ will be placed within a foot of the wall. Painted windows, previously in the nave, are being restored and reinstalled on the exterior in those spaces. A new door from the chancel into the organ chamber is being added. The sunken platform of the Rueter organ console is prepared to be brought to level.

Blocked in!

This week we continue to close off spaces between the organ chamber and chancel. A new door into the chamber is prepared along the wall to the north of where the choir is located. The space for the new instrument is prepared for upcoming use.

Work continues on the north side of the sanctuary to prepare that area of the floor for the weight of the organ. On the south side, the existing steps and tile has been removed in preparation for the installation of a new ramp leading into Page Hall.