Challenges

Achievements

Electrical system is very old, needs updating

Consider a geothermal well. This would decrease costs of heating in winter and cooling in summer. Possibly a grant might help to pay for it. Trinity Church in Copley Square, Boston has geothermal wells.

Exterior is in fairly good condition, with new roofing for the entire building completed within past 15 years,  and exterior of Rectory completed 2 years ago. 

The bell steeple is in good shape.

Leading in some stained glass windows are in bad condition.

Remove calcification on brickwork.

Restore floors.

Proposal to remove front pew by piano. This will make more space during communion and faciliate access by handicapped.

Suggestion to install removable handrail to facilitate handicapped access to the altar.

Question of whether painting of Mary above the altar should be moved to allow light from the circular window above the altar.

Replace flood lights and chandelier lights with LED lights.

Air conditioning could be installed in space in ceiling above the altar. This would be of minimal cost and barely visible in the sanctuary. Also would not impact external appearance of the building.

Proposal to install pew racks. A source for brackets has been found.

Roof of sanctuary was redone about 15 years ago, and is in good shape

Flashing was also redone and is in good shape

All gutters are cleaned out on a regular schedule.

Ceiling is fairly new and in good shape

Ceiling of 2nd floor of Parish House needs work. 

New roof with insulated composite rubberized roof.

The bay window in the Rector's office was repaired.

The 2nd floor of the Parish House was renovated before the Intern Program began.

The first floor was painted 2 years ago. 

Electrical wires currently run under the floor and are deteriorating.

Flooding in basement when there is heavy rain. This is from three causes. (1) Basement internal drain is clogged; (2) Roof and playground currently drain to the side of the building instead of into the basement drain; (3) damage to the foundation at the side of the building due to tree roots.

Kitchen needs a new refrigerator, upgrade range hood, and install antibackup drain on the sinks.

Bathrooms are "gross" between Friday afternoon and Sunday morning.

We need a new thermostat for the south side Sanctuary radiators. All Souls Church has a system with this type of radiator.

Undercroft is air conditioned. 

Work soon to start to install new wiring which will run along the ceiling along with the other systems.

St. Mary's got a grant to partially cover the cost of installing a chair lift between the red door and the Undercroft. 

Space under the stairs to the Undercroft was cleaned up and boxed in.  

Kitchen was renovated about 15 years ago and is in pretty good shape.

Bathrooms are cleaned Sunday mornings at 7 AM. 

Boiler was replaced 15 years ago.

Hot water now from 100 gallon gas-fired hot water heater.

Floors on all levels are in bad shape. Some areas need new underflooring, all floors need refinishing.

In some areas on the first and second floors, plaster need to be repaired where there was water damage from leaking plumbing.

All rooms need repainting.

Second floor - alcove space would be utilized as a closet for the master bedroom and to enlarge the bathroom.

Smoke detectors need to be checked.

Carbon monoxide detectors should be installed.

Rectory Basement

Storage area (including ECW) and small office space, church "Library" - book storage

Front of Building

Drain in the front of the church, along the sidewalk, does not work

Replace screens on basement windows

Remove remnents of graffiti to the right of the red door

Strip paint from masonry to the right of the red door, and refinish surface

Main Entrance
Need new aluminum portable ADA compliant ramps to allow handicapped access to the sanctuary

Concrete Balustrade - needs repair or replacement with iron rail

Iron gate - make gardenside gate open inward, so people can use handrail. Church side gate to attach to handrail so that it is stable if peope have to hold on to it.

New flag

New sign made of outdoor plywood

Replace broken plexiglass in outside announcement case

Garden

We need gardeners to help maintain garden

Paving stones in the garden are uneven

Concrete sidewalk between the garden and the church is in bad shape

The iron railing needs to be scraped and painted

Picnic benches not in good shape

We have cobble stones - intention is to make planters around the trees on the sidewalk in front of the church

Alleyway needs to be cleaned out

Drain in the alleyway needs to be cleaned

Stone steps down to the alleyway are deteriorating

Two new bug zappers installed

The outside of the garden front wall, along the sidewalk, needs to be repointed

Side of building towards ball court

Vegetation that grow between the church building and the park fence threatens the foundations. It is difficult to remove because of the narrow space available to work.

Backyard

Install "Bilco" type door over stairs leading into the Undercroft

Remove tree

Clean up back yard

Suggestion to replace wooden fencing with plantings.

New outdoor light over red door

We have new plastic box for storing clothing

25-75 people a day stop by to look for clothing

Note: Furniture Future will pick up furniture from the home

Alleyway next to basement - there is a new sump pump there

Screens have been placed over the stained glass windows to prevent breakage, these have to be maintained.