Our Needs
Facility Improvements
Pipe Organ Refurbishment
Savings were used to maintain our Wicks Pipe Organ to ensure its functionality for years to come. Work included cleaning, console refurbishing, pipe repair, tonal finishing, and having the reservoirs and schwimmers re-leathered.
HVAC System
Our aging HVAC system is unable to properly heat and cool our facilities and is exceedingly costly to run and repair. Most concerning is that the current boiler system has far exceeded its expected lifespan.
Devotional Area
Our St. John the Baptist Devotional Area (the former baptistery) does not provide a serene, contemplative place to light a candle for prayer and devotion. The space is dated, has water damage, a leaky ceiling, and the unused glass exterior doors make it too hot or cold and noisy.
Glass House Gathering Space
Our Glass House gathering space does not make the welcoming first impression to St. Mary's that we wish to make to all who come to our church.
- Though it is light and bright it is small and cluttered. Its tile floor, mismatched lighting, visible HVAC venting, and mix of décor give it an “industrial” feel that does not warmly foster fellowship before and after Masses.
- This space offers one of our best opportunities to display and distribute service, ministry, and event information, yet it has no central, identifiable place to do so.
Sanctuary & Main Church Improvements
Our sanctuary is striking with many attractive elements. However, some of its parts are looking worn and the space has a range of aesthetic and functional problems.
Sanctuary
- Past remodeling has resulted in five different architectural styles that are not aesthetically cohesive.
- The space is not welcoming to members and visitors with physical challenges. Only the center aisle is truly accessible, the side and outside aisles are too narrow and don’t offer handicap-accessible seating.
Technology
Our technology tools do not serve our current needs.
- Our current live-streaming tools are small cameras and an iPhone. These won't work long-term for us to continue to connect with those not able to attend Mass in person.
- Our sanctuary lighting is not bright enough for live-streaming Mass, especially when Fr. Luke is behind the altar. This results in very poor-quality visual output of St. Mary's Masses to the public.
- Our sound system is terribly challenging to use because it is located in the sacristy. To adjust audio during Mass, one must go outside, walk around the building, enter the sacristy, and then make the needed adjustments that cannot be heard because the speakers are back in the sanctuary.
Interior
- The main ceiling needs significant repair where it is cracking and starting to sag. No pieces have fallen, but it is potentially unsafe as well as unsightly.
Exterior
Though our nice church grounds, especially our courtyard and play area, offer a positive first impression of our faith community, some problems need to be addressed.
- Piping and drainage issues cause water to pool after heavy rains and winter snow and ice melts.
- The bell tower needs paint and is deteriorating because the roof leaks.
- Our courtyard does not offer all it could as an outdoor gathering and fellowship place.
- Our marquee messaging sign is weathering and aging, must be manually updated, and is limited to short phrases.