Chapel / Nursery Floorplans

It occurred to us that we haven't posted the actual floorplans for the Matthews Chapel renovations online. The first plan below shows the existing configuration with the original chapel, hallways, and nursery:



The plan below shows the new layout after the renovations. The main changes in the chapel involve the expansion of the stage, new seating, and the addition of a fully equipped sound booth and prep area with full plumbing along the back wall. Extensive electrical work will be needed to provide for the sound and lighting equipment needed during performances.

The former lobby and hallway are being transformed from bland passageways into dramatic art gallery spaces with exposed concrete ceilings and contrasting wall colors.

The nursery's restrooms are being renovated to provide ADA-accessibility and to accomodate usage during chapel events, and the crib room is being separated into two rooms to better serve the nursery as well as provide a small dressing room for the chapel ministries to share:

Gallery & Chapel Progress

While the nursery renovations took center-stage in December, work was also ongoing in the gallery hall and the rear wall of the chapel, which will feature a sound control booth, food & drink prep. area, and emergency exit door. Below are progress photos:

View of the gallery hall looking north. Note the new bamboo floors, painted walls, and exposed concrete beams.


The new drywall along the south gallery wall painted bright white will make an ideal setting for displaying artwork. New track-lighting (coming soon) will be mounted on the ceiling beams:


The rear chapel wall features a new sound booth (at center), prep. area (at right of sound booth), and wall-mounted acoustical panels:


The front of the sound booth was created from the woodwork that was originally in the chapel chancel area:


Another view of the sound booth with rose window above:


The prep area will feature a sink, dishwasher, icemaker, and two undercounter refrigerators. The bare spot on the wall is where an emergency-only exit (connecting to the nursery) will be installed:

Nursery Renovations Underway

The Nursery renovations got underway in December with installation of bamboo flooring in the entry, wall demolitions, restroom remodeling, and ceiling removal. Coming soon is the new ADA-accessible restroom, new suspended ceiling and lighting, new carpet, and upgraded finishes throughout. Below are the latest photos of the construction progress:


View of the nursery entry and clean-up area with new bamboo floors:



Existing restroom in the foreground, future ADA restroom in the background:

Renovated existing restroom with new sink, toilet, mirror, and pendant light:

View of the main nursery area - new ceiling, carpet, and lighting are coming soon:

A new one-way emergency exit door from the chapel will be constructed here:


The crib room ceiling has been removed - a new doorway will be constructed along the right wall:

Update on Giving

We are pleased to report that as of 11/30/07, pledges made to the campaign have totaled $504,021, and of this amount, $224,637 has already been received! We thank God for this amazing blessing and are constantly seeking His wisdom on how best to conduct the campaign and put the money to use most effectively in accomplishing these building renovation and renewal projects.

Our ultimate "Beacon Goal" remains $600,000, and we'll need to raise at least this much in order to complete the entire list of renovation projects. Our hope is that as more projects begin to take shape and as ministries and the church as a whole continue to grow, we will be able to grow our base of pledges to fill this gap. Please be praying that the giving process would continue to bear fruit, and that God would enable people to fulfil their pledges, maybe even increasing their pledges when possible.

A few renovation projects have already been completed, and the Campaign Team is busy laying the groundwork and planning for many other projects. Some people have inquired about why more projects aren't currently underway. Due to the amount of manpower available to plan and manage the individual projects, the team's capacity is limited to juggle more than a few projects at once, but rest assured that we will continue to complete the additional renovations as quickly as we can. If you would like to help in any way with the campaign, please contact us.

New hallway drinking fountain

Richard Lammers installed the new drinking fountain in the main hallway last week, and it looks great. Below are the BEFORE & AFTER photos:

BEFORE:

AFTER:


BEFORE:

AFTER:

Chapel Lobby is 90% complete

The lobby of the chapel has been completely repainted, the new chandelier has been installed, and the seating is in place. The impression upon entering the chapel at night is stunning and dramatic:

Creative Destruction

Last week we removed the entire suspended ceiling from the future Gallery hall and were thrilled to see that above it were nicely laid-out concrete structures and beams. Instead of putting in another less than desirable suspended ceiling, we now plan to leave the ceiling exposed for a much more dramatic effect. The current maze of electrical conduits will be rerouted to run along the concrete beams and have an orderly appearance. New track lighting will be mounted on the beams to illuminate the artwork on the walls below.


Carpentry work has been continuing inside the chapel, where the stage has been extended out several feet and an elevated platform along the north wall is being constructed where some of the old pews will be re-used as high table seating.