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Will we recognize the sanctuary
when the work is completed?
Of course. Our greater fear
is that it will look so familiar you will wonder where we
spent all that money.
How much of the work will
be hidden?
Start with the chancel floor
and the crawl space beneath it. At present, the floor of
the crawl space is dirt. Worse yet, virtually all of the
air handling systems in the crawl space are non-operative.
What does this mean?
First, we have to remove the
present chancel floor. Second, we have to replace the dirt
floor in the crawl space with concrete. Third, we have to
replace all the parts of the air handling system that serve
the chancel. Fourth, we have to pour a new chancel floor.
Is it true that we are going
to raise the chancel floor?
Yes. As long as we are doing
all this work, we are going to raise it six inches. This
will give us better sight lines, allowing persons in the
center and rear of the sanctuary to see things that take
place in the chancel (or on the chancel steps, such as children's
choirs).
Why only six inches?
So adult singers in the chancel
(especially adult singers to the rear of the choir) will
not bump their heads on the cabinetry that houses the organ
pipes.
Speaking of the chancel, is
it true that we are going to flexibilize the choir seating?
Yes. Choir pews will be replaced
with moveable chairs (very lovely moveable chairs). They
will sit on moveable risers. On many occasions, choir members
will sing facing each other, exactly as they do now. But
it will also be possible to move the risers (and also the
chairs) so as to position the choir at various angles toward
the congregation.
Will it be possible to have
the choir sing completely facing the congregation (as in a
concert)?
Sure. While we won't do it
often, there will be times when such an arrangement will
be most desirable.
Will changes be made to other
pieces of furniture in the chancel?
The altar will stay the same.
The small communion rail near the altar (which is used but
once a year) will go. The pulpit and the lectern will be
positioned as they are at present, but will be moveable.
The modesty panels will also be moveable. And the chancel
steps will be lengthened and widened, which will be of tremendous
benefit for children's choirs, weddings and chancel dramas.
Will the chancel floor be
carpeted?
No. In order to enhance both
the beauty and the acoustical properties of the chancel,
we will install a harder surface such as stone, slate or
ceramic tile. The main aisles of the sanctuary, however,
will be newly carpeted.
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