CHAPEL NEWS!

The north and east walls of the chapel, both inside and outside, have become so deformed (both leaning and non-flat) that the chapel is no longer considered to be a structure safe enough for human occupancy. After many months of deliberation and discernment, we are ready to move forward. The project is divided into a Phase One (demolition) and Phase Two (redesign and construction of the main entryway and of the exterior space that will be created by the Chapel demolition).

At their meeting last Monday evening, the Rector, Wardens, and Vestry approved a contractor for Phase One. Our dedicated Wardens, Greg Sexton and Randall Fletcher, along with their team of Steve Nixon, Stan Musick, and John Streiter are working with the contractor to prepare a detailed contract and are pursuing a grant through the Dayton Foundation to help with the costs. We hope to begin Phase One as soon as mid-to-late January and to complete it within seven weeks. Phase Two will require additional planning, design, and fund-raising that we are committed to commence (and possibly complete) within two years. 

Phase One will require that our main entrance be closed for a period of four to seven weeks. All other entrances involve stairs, which will make access problematic for many. So we are working with our friends and colleagues at First Baptist Church to host our worship and adult forums during that time. Worship times will remain the same with the Sunday 10:30 a.m. worship being a joint Eucharist with the First Baptist congregation. First Baptist is on Monument Avenue, just a block away from Christ Church. I am grateful for the generous hospitality of The Rev. Dr. Rodney Kennedy and our Baptist friends.

There are a myriad of details to work out, but God has given us a way forward as we deal with the present challenge and is presenting us with new opportunities for learning, collaboration, and grace. I look forward to the seasons of Advent and Christmas as we renew the Christian story of the One who is always coming into our lives in surprising and exciting ways!

The Rev. John Paddock