In the last two years, Diocese of Missouri conducted comprehensive inspections of all 41 of their Episcopal Churches. The inspector’s report for St. John & St. James Episcopal Church in Sullivan (about an hour south of St. Louis) raised several alarms.
The skylight above the Chancel leaked. Roof was in bad shape. Interior was uninviting and dark, with the only bathroom located down some stairs. St. John & St. James looked “basically abandoned” because the sign was so bad. Sally Weaver told Episcopal News Service that she was the priest in charge.
The structure that held the large brass bell of the church was also a cause for concern. Kuhn Construction inspectors deemed the structure a health risk, so the church agreed to remove the brass bell and demolish the building.
St. John & St. James was not alone in this report. Other Missouri churches have also been inspected and found to be in unsafe condition. Weaver, and local leaders of the church have welcomed inspections rather than dampening the outlook. They are now taking action on their recommendations.
In an interview, Bishop Deon Johnson told ENS that the biggest challenges facing congregations in the near future will be their buildings. Bishop Deon Johnson ordered that the inspections of all congregations in the Diocese begin fall 2021. This would allow them to receive detailed assessments, from the basement up to the belfry, to make informed, prudent decisions regarding the maintenance and repair of their aging buildings.
Johnson explained that the diocese has also received reports on church inspections. This allows it to prioritize financial assistance for congregations planning renovations or repairs. What could we fix now to save time and money in the future?
Inspections are scheduled for December on the last three churches of this round. Rick Kuhn is the team leader. He is the owner of Kuhn Construction, and a member at Emmanuel Episcopal Church Webster Groves. His “lifelong” passion is to share the expertise of his team with congregations in his diocese.
Kuhn said to ENS that “the knowledge we bring back is incalculable.” His team catalogs all blemishes, hazards and leaks inside and outside, whether they spend a few hours at a church such as St. John & St. James, or several days in the Christ Church Cathedral, St. Louis. Sometimes drones are used to help. The churches, many of which are older than a hundred years old, are prone to leaky roofs and pipes.
Kuhn stated, “We are finding drips that no one thought to search for.”
The inspectors examine the ceiling for signs of water damage, and look for the source. Look for loose or broken handrails, uneven surfaces and steps that might cause someone to fall. Roofs, gutters and tuckpointing are all inspected. Lead and mold are detected to determine if remediation is needed. They also inventory boilers, furnaces, and other appliances to estimate their remaining life.
Kuhn inspectors in the worst case advised St. Barnabas Episcopal Church, in the suburb of Florissant, to stop immediately worshipping at its church. This structure was built in 1959 and at risk from collapse due to rotting roof rafters.
The congregation continued to worship despite the dire situation. The parish hall next door was remodeled to create a worship area and a new church altar. Johnson’s visit to the St. Barnabas parish in May of 2022 was for the consecration of the new space. Members told Johnson that the parish hall had the same flexibility and accommodating features as the old church.
Johnson says that faith communities go beyond the physical buildings they use to worship. However, he does not discount the emotional and spiritual resonance the church has as a place of shared gathering.
Johnson, a spokesperson for ENS, said: “It is the place people go to get baptized or buried. They also come here to marry and reaffirm faith.” While we do not worship the structure, it is the place where people come to be baptized, buried or married.
Johnson said that it is worth taking care of. Johnson envisions an inspection program that will continue on a 5-year cycle, to ensure congregations can maintain their church for years into the future. “
Kuhn inspectors did not just point out improvements that were needed at St. John & St. James. It also made parishioners think about the way they use their space for worship. Weaver said that the church only had a few worshipers on Sundays and did not use the space other days.
Members of the congregation used some savings to renovate and reconfigure their church. They also conducted a capital campaign. The walls were painted a lighter color and the lighting was upgraded. A bathroom on the main floor, as well as a children’s play area, was added. The old pews were removed and replaced with movable seats, allowing the area to be used for other events, such as coffee hours, parish meetings, or community gatherings, after the worship service.
Weaver stated that “implementing these recommendations has been life-changing” for the congregation. It’s totally changed [the feel of the building]. You can feel the joy and lightness now. It’s very inviting.
The building improvements and the new welcome sign with a rainbow Pride Flag on it, are partly to blame for her growing Sunday attendance. Prior to the renovations only three people would attend the church services. Now, at least a dozen people attend regularly – an increase of more than 50% in a church that could only hold 50.
She said that “we keep getting more visitors, and new members continue to join us.”
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