When I arrived at All Saints' in
October 2006, there was already a Capital Campaign in progress. The ambitious
goal of that campaign was to raise about $600,000 and one of the projects
advertised in the campaign was to remodel Smith Hall. Truth be told, in the
eyes of many people this was really the purpose of the campaign.
By the end of the first phase of the Capital
Campaign, we had only raised about $360,000. At a public meeting in the spring
of 2007, new priorities were necessarily adopted. At that time, our parking lot was arranged
in such a way that people could hardly get in and out of their cars, or their
parking spots. The re-design and expansion
of the parking lot was set as a first priority and completed under the supervision
of Ralph Wilkins. In 2007 we also began the tedious process of getting a
Conditional Use Permit from the city to allow us to move forward with our development
plans.
In 2008 we completed a design for
Smith Hall. Though a great many people
wanted to simply spruce up the kitchen, install new appliances, refinish the
floor and generally paint and polish the place, there were some serious
problems with the building. The kitchen area was way too large for modern cooking
and catering practices. The stage area took up 20% of the available space. The
seating area, at a maximum of 108 at round tables, was just too small. And the
building and bathrooms were not accessible to the handicapped. The new design
addressed all these issues.
As we began the Smith Hall project,
it became obvious that we had bigger problems. The electrical service for the
entire property was inadequate and in fact even dangerous. The original
equipment was still in place from a half-century ago. Through the years, as the
North and South wings were added, air-conditioning was invented and installed
and all this electrical load was just added on to the end of the old existing
system. As we began to replace the electrical service, we also discovered that
the gas and water services were deteriorated and in need of replacement. We
spent the balance of the Capital Campaign funds to repair these deficiencies.
Then, in 2011, we had the
opportunity to remodel the down stairs of the North Wing for a preschool tenant
who would lease the property and produce income for the church. We raised another $100,000 and completed that
project.
So now it is time to (finally)
complete Smith Hall. We have received a total of $90,000 from two generous
givers and this combined with the $30,000 balance in the Capital Campaign fund
will allow us to begin the final phase. The funds we have on had should take us
through the “rough” construction. We have stepped out in faith, trusting that
we can raise the balance of the funds from members of the congregation who have
a special interest in the Smith Hall project.
Again,
your prayers, patience and financial support are required. You have all done
this in the past, with considerable success. I have no doubt that you will rise
to the occasion and help complete this important place in our community life.
– JC+