Renovations
January 15, 2026 - The church and I become partners. She has a glow in the first minutes of nightfall. I feel inspired to create a beautiful community space of reverence and creativity.
January 16th - Our first inspection of the interior space. Animosh is curious running between levels. Old pews line the upper hall along both walls, Floor is a patchwork of rug, lino flooring and painted wood planks. Downstairs is an open hall needing some TLC.
January 24th - Pews are removed and brought downstairs. They will be repurposed and used around the building. For now, the one-legged wall pews are stacked away for safe keeping, with one or two given to friends who made a request.
January 24th - Once the pews are out of the way, the old red rug and lino flooring is lifted off in the main area. Lots of muscle work to lift and remove because some of the underlay was pressed board that broke apart. Area still to clear - the altar and front entrance.
January 28th - Red carpet on altar is ripped out and all nails are removed from flooring. Place is swept and waiting for next task to be assigned. Altar has small mismatch of pieces of planks and not a nice finish like the main floor. I will have to put some imagination to how I will finish that space.
February 1 - A decision was made to sell the oil burning furnace and replace it with a mix of radiant heaters and baseboards. This will allow for a more cost efficient heating solution with a lower environmental footprint.
Feb 2 - The electrical system needs a major overhaul . 100 fuse system to a 200 breaker panel. The panel will need to be moved to meet code and will go on the wall in the stove space. Stove is being given away. Electrical plugs and lighting will be updated and exit and emergency lighting needed for fire code requirements will be installed.
Feb 13 - The kitchen and future bathroom space have been stripped to bare walls and floors. This space will likely become an artist storage area for members. Before the electrical work gets underway, we needed to move cupboards and countertops that we would not be using.
Feb 14 The monster of a furnace has been dismantled and loaded up for its new destination in Metaghan. Clean up and repair of floor holes will follow and make room for the new electrical system.
Feb 18 - cleaning up the debris from grand hall and made the decision to remove the altar stage altogether.
Feb 25 - After a visit from heat pump companies and the fire depafrtment, it was decided that before we do anything about a heating system, we must properly insulate the building. There is absolutely no insulation in the walls or the attic. The fire department cannot approve the panelling that exists and we have decided to remove it. This will facilitate being able to insulate from inside the building. Stay tuned to the massive de-robing of the walls.
March 5 - We are removing the paneling and lathe to insulate the walls and do some electrical work upgrades. We have started with the grande hall upstairs.
March 12 - Finished cleaning up the upstairs area and starting on the basement walls, in preparation for the electricians arriving next week.
Mar 25 Working on bringing the electrical at 200 amps from the road and wiring for plugs, switches, heaters and lighting.
Apr 2 - The last of the clean up of the torn down materials, old wood, plaster, panels and debris. A few more dump runs and we should be good. Filled 2 dumpsters and put the stove and sink out for free by the road.
Apr 7 Bathroom with incinerator toilet has been added in the lower level and awaiting electrical stuff prior to inspection later this week.
Apr 23 People are curious. What are you doing with the church? Some stop by and speak to my workers. So, I decided to put a little signage out front to tease folks.
April 29 Last big stripping of walls and clean up - two trips to the dump of lath and plaster. We are now ready to think abut starting the next big step of insulating the walls. Pretty exciting.
May 14 The main gallery hall is almost completely insulated. The upstairs is already a much warmer space temperature-wise. I am now able to visualize the potential of the concept even better. Inspirational.
May 31 We have completed insulating the walls and adding the vapour barrier on both the upper and lower levels. The 100 sheets of drywall and mudding supplies have been delivered to the church and we will be installing it later in June. Trying to pace ourselves.