Executive Summary:
As part of the capital improvements campaign, it was identified that our sanctuary seating and flooring needed replacing. The replacement of the
seating was considered a priority because of the deteriorating condition of the pews. The budget assigned for seating and floor replacement was $15,000. A task force was formed which did research and solicited feedback from the congregation.
The following is the task force’s recommendation to the
Congregation Council:
A minimum of 160 Bertolini Chairs be purchased and that new carpeting be installed in the sanctuary. Chairs will cost $14,500. Carpeting would be installed using the remaining funds budgeted for this project plus (at the most) an additional $3,000. The goal is to keep the total project cost under $19,000.
Official Vote
This proposal is submitted by the Task Force with an official vote of 9 in favor and 1 against.
Introduction –
For more than five years Amazing Grace has experienced breakage in some of its pews. The pew seats are made of particle board which is drying out and becoming brittle. When an undue amount of weight is placed on the pews, the bottom gives way and needs repair. The upholstery on the pews has noticeable fading, especially those pews on the west side of the sanctuary, which is more exposed to the sun.
The flooring of the sanctuary is has also shown the wear of time. The tile needs replacing and the carpeting is showing its age. The carpeting was last
replaced in 2003. It is understood that the tiles are part of the original construction of the sanctuary. Currently many tiles have become loose and are
aging. The seams between the carpeting and tiles are worn and require regular maintenance.
When the 2008 “Workin’ On Our Building” campaign was planned, the organizers of the campaign included replacing the seating and flooring in the sanctuary under the final “Phase 3” section of the improvements.
As the other phases of projects were completed, such as a new entry area, new exterior and sanctuary doors, painting of the sanctuary and exterior, new sign, and the replacement of the HVAC units, the council deemed it time to approach the subject of sanctuary seating and flooring.
Sanctuary Seating and Flooring Task Force.
The congregation was invited to an introductory meeting about sanctuary seating and flooring. Over thirty people attended and were invited to be a part of the task force. Anyone who wanted to participate was welcome to be a part of the task force. At that meeting several members volunteered to serve on the task force and David Rager agreed to be chair.
The task force consisted of the following members of Amazing Grace: David Rager, Chair, Nanette Stariha, Vern Rink, Elaine Schwartz, Bill McKenny, Tracie Crowe, David and Deb Linke, Mimi Layton, and Pastor Jason Talsness. The entire congregation owes a debt of gratitude to this dedicated and hardworking team.
The work of the task force included meeting with seating manufacturer representatives, visiting area churches that have different types of seating, researching costs, conducting a congregational-wide survey providing samples of seating, and seeking congregational feedback on those samples (results of the survey are available upon request. Comments are in the appendix).
The congregational online survey was an important part of the task force’s work. From the survey the congregation indicated the top priorities for seating was 1) Use of space and flexibility 2)Comfort 3) Maximize Seating capacity. Over 50% indicated a preference for chairs, while 45% indicated a preference of pews (with or without seat dividers). For flooring, 50% preferred what we have now, a combination of tile with carpet. Less than 10% wanted all carpeting, 28% indicated a preference for tile.
Please note the task force did not include any prices in the survey.
Seating Review
Pews
To replace our existing pews with the current configuration, the estimated cost is $24,500. That cost could be reduced to the vicinity of $21,500 if we elected to go with upholstered backs.
There is a contingency within our congregation who are devoted to pews. Pews convey a sense of tradition, rootedness, and history. Many lifelong Lutherans in our congregation have only worshipped in churches that have pews. The back of the pew in front of worshipers provide firm support to those who need it by which to stand. The pew ends influence the traditional look of the sanctuary. The white raised panel of the pew ends, altar, pulpit and baptismal font provide a unifying and cohesive design element in the space. The wood stained backs of the pews provide a warm and comforting feeling.
The Task Force concluded that pews would not be the optimal choice for Amazing Grace. Cost and lack of seating flexibility were the two main concerns.
Why Not Just Refurbish?
The task force investigated simply refurbishing and reupholstering the existing pews. Because the area of the pew that has been causing the most problems is the seat “substrate”, this option would be labor-intensive and cost-prohibitive on a grand scale. It is an option to consider on a small scale, (for example, the pew behind the pulpit) verses buying a new one.
Quotes ranged from $30,000 to $18,000 to refurbish. Simply reupholstering the pews without any improvement to the seat or back received a quote of $4,550.
Chairs
Site visits to area Lutheran mission-starts revealed a unanimous preference for chairs. Cost and seating flexibility were the overwhelming factors. Living Grace Lutheran Church in Tucker, GA went with a combination of pews and chairs, and after four years has witnessed that worshippers much prefer chairs.
Samples of 8 different chairs were brought in for the task force and congregation to test, four wood frames, and four metals. Many task force members preferred the look and feel of wooden chairs, but at almost twice the price of other suitable chairs, this option was removed. The Bertolini Impression Everflex chairs proved too durable, comfortable, attractive and affordable.
There are a number of current challenges facing Amazing Grace that chairs would address. Most crucial is that of space. Amazing Grace has a dearth of programing space. Chairs would allow for the sanctuary to be used for events other than worship and provide flexibility in the type of use. With chairs, we’d in effect be adding space equivalent a Fellowship Hall.
The results of the survey showed that a great majority of worshipers see the advantages of having one center aisle. A center and side aisles would allow for two communion stations during Sunday worship. A center aisle would allow for a traditional processional and recessional at weddings and other services. Special services such as Midweek Grace, educational events and other gatherings would benefit from a more intimate seating configuration.
By an approximately 10% margin, the majority of those who completed the survey expressed a preference for chairs. Though the task force acknowledges a break with tradition in selecting chairs, it sees that a sizable portion of the congregation is prepared for such a change and
that the benefits of chairs far outweigh the drawbacks.
Flooring
Carpet
With the budgetary parameters the task force was given, we almost have no option but to recommend carpeting. It is the most affordable, re-carpeting the entire sanctuary would cost as low as $3,500.00
Wood
On the other end of the spectrum is wood flooring, which would cost approximately $10,000 depending on the condition of the floor underneath the carpet. Wood flooring stands out on appearance and durability. Acoustically speaking, wood flooring could liven the sanctuary in potentially undesirable ways.
Luxury Vinyl Tile
Many on the task force see real value in luxury vinyl tile. It has advantages when considering clean-ability, durability, and appearance. But the Task Force was reluctant to recommend this flooring to council because it would commit Amazing Grace to another fundraising effort. If the council wants to explore this option further, it does so at the urging of the Task Force. Total maximum cost would also be in the $10,000 range. This would include the flooring in the seating area with the existing carpet remaining at the altar.
Further Considerations
As we look to specifics concerning colors, the task force recommends an interior designer be hired on an hourly basis to provide an overall color selection for a unified appearance.
The task force did not include any suggestions or recommendations about reducing the width of the first step at the altar area. Many conversations led
to this aspect of our sanctuary, but given the budgetary concerns we did not see it feasible to engage the question.
Another area of particular concern is the left front side as one sits facing the altar. This used to be a storage area with the same height wall as now
stands on the front right side. The wall was taken down to accommodate seating for musicians for worship services led by instruments other than the organ.
Changing the layout of that space as well as the steps leading to the altar would increase the seating capacity in the sanctuary.
If the council feels that either of these altar modifications is worth consideration, it would make the most sense to do one or both of these at the same time the flooring is being replaced. The work required to make these modifications are of the nature that they could be performed by a congregational volunteer work force to reduce the cost of the improvements. The flooring in these areas would be done by professionals.
This proposal does not address seating or flooring in the choir loft. In consultation with the Director of Music Lois Simon, she expressed a satisfaction with her current arrangement. She is concerned new chairs would lessen the loft’s capacity for seating.
Alternative Phased Solution
If funding is a roadblock to replacing the seating and flooring at one time, the committee offers the following option:
Purchase the total number of chairs needed, however, do not deploy all of them at one time. Remove the pews from the center section of the sanctuary and the front 2-3 rows on each side. This will leave 6-7 rows of pews on each side, and will still allow for some flexibility in using the space. We could go with the “combination” seating for 4-6 months. Then deploy the rest of the chairs and live with all chairs for another 4-6
months. The final stage would be the flooring in 8-12 months from now. There would need to be some minor floor repair work (re-gluing tiles) that
could be done by volunteer members of the congregation.
This option would give the congregation members who are concerned about chairs the chance to live with them and still have pews for a few months and also allows for additional time for fund raising and donations to be made to help with the cost of the flooring.