Construction tours on Palm Sunday, April 10, 2022, allowed 150 Redeemer members to witness firsthand the progress being made in the new sanctuary and other areas of the church. And work continued throughout Holy Week, until midday on Good Friday. Next week will mark another exciting milestone as the new steeple will arrive on site. The current plan is for the various sections of the steeple to be lifted into place on Thursday, April 21, 2022. The crowning moment will come last as the new steeple cross will be secured by hand to the top of the new spire.
Early April weather and the removal of “frost law” trucking restrictions on April 8 allowed work to resume in key areas around the Redeemer exterior.
- Concrete Work – Frost slabs were poured in front of each of the three exterior doors. The entire front porch was also poured. Concrete base pads were also poured in the columbarium.
- Exterior Trim – While not complete, significant progress was made installing exterior trim around the sanctuary and music wing. The four colonial columns on the front porch should be installed next week.
- Gas Utility – The Redeemer main service line was connected to the gas lines in the new sanctuary and related spaces. This now allows the main HVAC system to run, as needed, in the new sanctuary.
The interior of the sanctuary has seen a great deal of activity.
- Framing is now complete throughout the sanctuary, narthex (front lobby), town square expansion and music wing expansion. Ceiling grids still need to be installed in the town square and music rehearsal room.
- Drywall installation is largely complete. Tape, mud and sand operations continue with most work focused on the hallways, town square and music wing expansion.
- Finished electrical is underway with exit signs and house lights installed throughout most of the sanctuary. Specialty lighting is still to be installed in the sanctuary, as well as house lighting in the town square expansion and music wing expansion.
- HVAC installation is largely complete. Some finish work (grates, louvers) and system tuning remain to be done.
- Fire suppression is also in the finish stage, with protective plastic caps being replaced with flat, round sprinkler covers that are virtually unnoticeable. Fire suppression work in the chapel has yet to start.
- Perhaps most notable is the wood trim work that is happening throughout the sanctuary.
- The tall slender colonial columns that grace both sides of the sanctuary are now trimmed, sanded and ready for paint
- The side chancel walls have been trimmed in wood panels, caulked and painted (primer coat)
- Work on the front chancel wall is well underway, including the installation of wood panels, acoustic (organ pipe) screens, and the wood reredos (casement) that surrounds the dossal curtain
- The six large sanctuary windows are being trimmed in wood; this work should be completed next week. The wainscoting that ties to the six windowsills has also been installed
- Wood trim panels below the wainscoting will be installed in the second half of April. This includes panels and trim in the sanctuary and in the two hallways that connect the sanctuary and town square
- Finally, in the second half of April wood trim work will commence in the narthex and balcony.
The lower level (classrooms, fellowship hall, bathrooms, bridal lounge, etc.) is reaching the final finishing stages.
- Drywall and painting is complete, with the exception of the north hallway.
- Finished electrical is complete.
- Doors and door hardware are complete.
- HVAC installation is complete. HVAC tuning can now proceed.
- Bathroom tile is complete. Most bathroom fixtures (sinks and toilets) are installed.
- Next steps in the lower level include the installation of cabinetry / millwork and over the next several weeks, the installation of carpet and tile.
