Why the Chancel Renovation?

Last week's Shiloh Insider gave rise to an interesting comment. The question is the impetus of this week's blog. "Why is the chancel renovation project being done?" a reader asked.

The majority of the project's motivation lies in its connection to the wider Shiloh Church facility plan.

More than five years ago now, as a result of the all-congregation vote to remain in its current facility, Shiloh determined that it had to either move or upgrade its current facility. Staying here and doing nothing was not a reasonable option. Therefore, the congregation took a full year in establishing a $3.7 million facility plan. It included a new main entrance, an elevator, upgrade of restrooms, refurbishing of all gathering areas, replacement of boilers and windows, and significant upgrades to the worship space.

Much of the overall plan has been achieved. Shiloh has already replaced its ancient, non-efficient boilers with new, much more efficient ones. The congregation replaced its old windows with new, more efficient ones. These two projects have saved the congregation quite literally tens of thousands of dollars per year, and have significantly reduced the congregation's carbon footprint. Shiloh has already remodeled the Christian Education wing, mainly due to the ministry of The Kid's Institute, and has redone the Omega Hall.

The chancel renovation project belongs to the phase of renovation that encompasses Shiloh's worship space. It is a necessary "next step." A large portion of the sanctuary upgrade is the placement of a new lighting system, one that utilizes current LED technologies instead of the old incandescent system. Projections tell us that our sanctuary lighting will use in excess of 40x less electricity than with the present system. Currently, the old Colortran system fails to provide any usable lighting to what had been the choir loft. Since Shiloh plans to replace the entire lighting system, it makes sense to configure the chancel appropriately before the lighting is replaced.

The chancel renovation is also taking place in order to accommodate the new organ console. As most know, Shiloh applied for and was awarded a grant of $141,000 to replace its old organ console with a new digital system. Part of that upgrade allows the organ to move throughout the chancel space. In order to utilize that improvement, and in order to place the chancel choir back on the chancel (along with bells and puppets), it was necessary to expand the chancel.

On a more practical level, the chancel renovation was necessitated by the condition of the carpet in the front of the sanctuary. Every time the chairs in the front are moved, the carpet is snagged and tears. The chairs are entering into considerable disrepair because of the movement. The expansion of the chancel will, we hope, greatly reduce the necessity of moving the sanctuary chairs. There are additional media-related reasons for expansion of the chancel, but I do not pretend to understand them thoroughly enough to explain them.

The congregation will raise more than the anticipated $25,000 that the project will cost. Direct contributions, fundraising events, and special events have been very successful. Combine the level of giving with the idea that doing the project with volunteer labor, saving Shiloh Church an estimated $50,000, and the chancel renovation is a great starting point for ongoing sanctuary renovation.

It is an ideal "Next Step."

Thank you for all your support and assistance.

See You Sunday!