We recently received news that we received $20,000.00 from the Koch Foundation toward refinishing our pews and replacing the flooring materials in the church. These projects have been in the planning stages for about 2 years. Now that we are getting closer to our 100^th Anniversary Celebration, it is time to get started on the work – there’s a lot of it and it’s easier to spread the cost over a couple of years rather than try to do it all at once. Just like at home!

     Tentative plans are to do the floor work during the six weeks the pews have been removed for refinishing. The least disruptive time would be this summer after the Parish Picnic (July 12) and before the beginning of PSR in the fall. Discussion has been that we will have mass in the Social Hall during this time.

     There will be an open meeting in the Social Hall between the masses on Sunday, May 17, to share general information about the work and the general timeline. The subcommittee working on these projects consists of Pat Hubbard, Joe Melfi, Andy Hess, Theresa Kucsma, Greg and Stacey Hoffman. Please come to find out about these projects to renew the finishings in our church for the 100^th Anniversary Celebration.

The rest of the story…

     The only firm decision that has been made regarding these 2 projects is that the pew work will be done by Woods Interiors. Their proposal was the best by far, and we needed to have a firm proposal to use in the grant application. Both Parish and Finance Councils were involved int that decision before the grant application was submitted because awarding and acceptance of any grant monies pretty much committed us to that proposal.

     The subcommittee still has quite a lot of work to do regarding the abatement of the asbestos that is in the floor tile and in the mastic under the carpeting throughout the church and adjacent rooms. The next step for the subcommittee will be to consider materials, possible color palettes, and a firm timeline to accomplish all this work. We are hoping to have suggestions for parishioners to see and consider in the very near future.

     These projects will be funded from several sources. We have the $20,000.00 grant. We have also been earmarking Appeal funds, Spaghetti Dinner profits, and legacy donations for these projects. In addition, we will do a fundraiser called “Adopt A Pew”. Parishioners will be invited to cover the cost of refinishing a pew. A small brass plate will be put on the pew indicating the donor. We also have an estimate for cushions which could be an avenue for donation too.

The following costs will not be locked down until we sign contracts so they are ESTIMATES.

Pew refinishing                           $63,000.00

Cushions                                    $13,000.00

Asbestos abatement                     $23,000.00

Flooring options                          $33,000.00 – Carpet; carpet tile +$7500-$8200; no estimate on LVP yet

                                               $132,000.00

Questions? – Text Theresa Kucsma at 740-739-1966.