Renovation Update

 Re-dedication Celebration April 5, 2009   To God be the glory !   Members of St. Paul Lutheran Church and guests celebrated the completion of the renovation project with a worship service Sunday afternoon. Our guest preacher was Rev. Dennis Schultz  who served our congregation from 1977 to 1995.  Pastor Schultz officiated at the original dedication service for our new church back in November 1978. Our guest liturgist was Rev. John Schauer who served our congregation from 1996 to 2006.   Rev. Richard Salcido officiated the rededication service and blessed the building, lectern, pulpit, altar and renovations.   We pray for God’s continued blessings on His holy house where we gather together as God’s people to praise His name, hear His Word, and receive His forgiveness.  The organ music, adult choir, praise team, and congregational singing praised our Lord beautifully on this special occasion. The church council president, Dewayne Ricklefs, recognized Phyllis Hagemeier and Karen Salmon for the time and effort they devoted as project managers.  This project has been accomplished because of the willingness of St. Paul's members to generously donate their time, talents and treasures.  A reception in the fellowship hall followed the service.

Click Here to View   Rededication Brochure

   Renovation Update 4-4-09   The renovation project is definitely winding down and will be complete once the pews are installed.  Rogers Organ Compay came back to tune the organ and make sure it would be ready for the rededication celebration.   Once the carpet was laid the "vacuum crew" went to work.  Edsen Electric put the new lighting around the altar cross.  Volunteers were busy all over the place... putting up doors, moving things back, and touching up where ever needed.  There was a work day on March 28th to move things back into the church and other rooms that had been painted and carpeted.  Now we just need pews!!   The pews did arrive but on 4-3 (Friday) instead of earlier in the week as planned.  The crew from Ratigan-Schottler worked hard and long to make sure we would have seating for the rededication service on Sunday.  The refinished pews were worth the wait!  The new finish and upholstery are really beautiful. The final touches were being put on the pews as members entered the church Sunday afternoon. 

 

Renovation Update 3-13-09   It's been another busy couple of weeks and the changes are evident.  Edsen Electric has been working on installing the four new large ceiling lights which will give more light in the sanctuary.  Dale and his crew also put the finishing touches on the indirect lighting near the ceiling on the west and east walls of the sanctuary as well as worked on other electrical wiring.  The "shop vac & feather duster" party on March 7th was well attended.  We got lots accomplished and also enjoyed some great fellowship.   The floors were well cleaned by the volunteer shop vac handlers but they were all pretty camera shy (we did manage to get a picture of one volunteer who stayed put when told).   Another group of volunteers scrapped and cleaned the windows to remove varnish (old and new).    To be ready for carpet, the choir platform also had to be put back into place and staples removed from any wood areas to be carpeted.  Steve from Rogers Organ Company came to move the organ, then came again to move it back into place, and then came back again to tune the organ. 

Heinrichs and Sons Carpet Laying took about a week to install the 980 yards of carpet.  The altar area is set off with a different color and type of carpet.   Dean Hammer removed the protective covering on the communion railing and the refinished railing is really beautiful.  He also refaced the coat racks in the narthex and what a difference that made!  Thanks to Dean for doing such great job with the wood projects.  Lots of things have been getting finished up and ready for the pews- -which should be arriving soon.  The new accent lights on the columns in the sanctuary are being installed along with the new light behind the altar cross.  Our church has always been very beautiful but this  "facelift" has really brightened and accented its most attractive features.  The project is on schedule thanks to the many wonderful volunteers and should be completed very soon.  A dedication celebration is being planned for the afternoon of April 5th.  God has truly blessed His church and this renovation project.

 Renovation Update 2-26-09           The renovation project is pretty much on track.  Rohde Construction finished sheetrocking the columns in the church and Jerry Wiertsema came back from  warmer climate to start the painting phase.  Last week  (2-16-09) Jerry and his crew of volunteers started the painting preparation.  The plan was to wash down the existing wallpaper then seal coat and paint.  But best made plans sometimes change and this plan was no different.  While scrubbing down the paper it was discovered that the paper was very loose in some areas so it was decided to see if the paper could be removed.  The wallpaper came off quite easily and was quickly gone in just a few hours with the help of some dedicated volunteers.   Next step now would be to texture the walls and then paint.  Jarco Drywall from Sioux City was able to come and texture the walls on Thursday.  Their work was made easier since Jerry, his son-in-law Ross Ladwig, and St. Paul helpers had already covered and taped everything to prepare for painting.  Jerry and his crew then began painting and worked hard & long to get the entire job done in about five days.  The walls in the sanctuary have been painted a light neutral beige and the wall columns are painted a shade darker with a slight gold tone.  The chapel, offices, hall and narthex are painted the same light beige.  Everything seems so much brighter and now we won't ever have to worry about the wallpaper coming loose.  Below are some pictures of our work in progress.  If you get a chance, stop in and see what a difference paint can make!

 After the painting was completed and Jerry headed back south (before he decided he really does like  Iowa's cold & snowy weather), it was time for the next phase.   Work has begun on refinishing alot of the woodwork to cover any scratches or bad spots.   Another group of volunteers under the leadership of Aaron Hoffman and Dean Hammer have scrubbed, sanded, stained and varnished the woodwork around the doors, windows, back glass and the office bookcases.  It's amazing how much woodwork we have in our church!! 

 

 Upcoming projects include Edsen Electric installing the new ceiling & wall light fixtures and adding needed electrical outlets.  March 7th has been designated as "Shop Vac & Feather Duster" Day as we get things cleaned up and ready for carpet.  Carpet installation is slated to begin March 9th.  The pews are being refinished and reupholstered and should be arriving back around March 18th.  The organ company is coming March 10th to move the organ so that area can be carpeted and then will be back to tune the organ after everything else is done.   Everything has been going very well and we want to thank everyone who has been so generous with their time and talents.  We would like to mention everyone by name but so many have been helping (some literally at a moment's notice) that we don't want to forget anyone.  Please know that your help on this project is greatly appreciated.  God has richly blessed us and we should be able to worship our Lord in our new surroundings on Palm Sunday and Easter.

 January 4th was the the last time to look around the Sanctuary and reflect on the way things have looked at St .Paul Lutheran Church the past thirty years. The Renovation Project was underway. That afternnoon there were lots of members helping to remove decorations, sound and video equipment , desks, books and just about anything not fastened down. The Fellowship Hall was transformed into our temporary place of worship. On January 6th, Ratigan-Schottler Manufacturing of Beatrice, Nebraska started disassembling and removing the pews, altar, lectern and pulpit.  This is the same company that originally built our pews.  They will refinish all the wood, reupholster the seats & backs, and then reassemble the pews after the new carpet is installed.  The Renovation Project had actually started several weeks earlier when Dean Hammer and helpers began refinishing doors and the Communion railing. To protect the new finish Dean carefully built a box around the completed railing. 

 On January 9th the old carpet was removed by a group of hardworking volunteers. Some of the LYF kids were also able to help since there was no school that day. Wooden blocks were made to protect the pew bolts that remained in the floor.  K&D Painting of Carroll had started the restoring of the wood ceiling and beams in the back stairway and hallways and now were ready to work in the narthex and then move into the sanctuary.

A beautiful addition to our church are the new stained glass vent windows in the sanctuary and two new full stained glass windows in the chapel.  The original windows were designed and installed by the father of Tim and John Eckman, co-owners of Classic Art Glass of Omaha.  Tim designed the window vents to match each upper window and used the same window patterns for the chapel windows.  He said he enjoyed completing this project for his father. 

There's been alot of other construction going on....  Rohde Construction has removed a wall to enlarge the pastor's office, closed a door and made another door opening, closed in a wall that had been glass, and will be moving into the sanctuary to sheetrock the sidewall pillars.  Edsen Electric has been busy moving wiring for switches and outlets and will be working on sanctuary wiring and lighting once the ceiling work is done.  Jerry Wiertsema will be sealing over the wallpaper and then painting.  The carpet has arrived and will be installed by Heinrichs & Son's Linoleum-Carpet Laying of Carroll after the painting is done.

The Renovation Project is a big undertaking and couldn't be accomplished without the help and cooperation of everyone.  There have been so many volunteers helping in a variety of ways and we appreciate every one of you!! A special "Thank You" to Phyllis and Karen for all their planning, calling, road trips, and dedication.   Please check back to see what else is getting done as we work toward the goal of being able to worship on Easter Sunday in our newly decorated sanctuary. 

**Below is a picture that shows a sample of the carpet and upholstery. The oatmeal colored carpet will be used in the altar area and the multi color piece is the main carpet.  The smaller top sample is the pew covering.  The pictures don't show the colors the best but we wanted to give you an idea of the color scheme.