FACILITIES UPDATES
From the Saint Mark Endurability Committee
Endurability Committee
The Endurability Committee works under the supervision of the Church Council (thru the Trustees) to ensure that Saint Mark’s buildings and grounds are kept in good condition to support the ministries of the church. Our goals are to ensure that all buildings are watertight, to repair water damage to interiors, to connect our 2nd floor to the new parking deck, and to upgrade infrastructure as necessary. Stay in touch with our progress by visiting this webpage for regular updates.
February 2024 Update
1902 Roof replacement proposal:
Progress towards awarding the scope of work include the following activities:
Negotiated final contract terms with Skyfall (roofing company) as per Church Council meeting in December 2023. Completed selection of shingle material and preliminary approach towards roof vents (prefer none unless with violated warranty)
Closing on items that relate to roof, to be done by others:
Endurability is considering vendors for scaffolding: URP (current) or others.
Endurability is considering contractor for East and South wall repairs (URP, ERI). URP proposal is in hand. Waiting for ERI and others (if needed)
Conducting a structural verification of roof’s capacity to carry roofing system (shingles + plywood, underlayment) initially done by Williamson & Associates (W&A). As an additional scope, same structural engineer will do a cursory review of the condition of sanctuary roof.
North Wall repair:
URP, contractor, has been delayed completing the work due to craftmanship and weather. As part of completion, a 4.5-hour water test on the Rose window was conducted under the supervision of W&A. This included periodic visual observations and infrared photos of interior. No interior leakage was observed during or after completion. A minor amount of water was noted within the North Rose window – see last bullet. Beyond this URP is 90% complete and addressing:
Punch list items identified by W&A.
Coping and counterflashing at 5th Street entrance door.
Installation of temporary shingles damaged during wall repair.
Repairs to interior of sanctuary plaster damage by water infiltration during wall repair. As an option, Endurability is considering financial compensation.
North gable cresting was removed by URP and stored in the garage as requested by SMUMC. Top of gable area appears to have been a source of water infiltration and has been temporarily sealed pending final re-installation of cresting by separate contractor.
Note: SMUMC may need to check other gable crestings for potential of similar conditions.
Endurability’s request for additional repair to wood frame area at bottom of North Wall Rose window. This includes removing bottom glass panel, repairing rotted wood, caulking and sealing hole in frame.
Rose window bottom sill
North Wall - Top of Gable
North Gable temporary capping (no crescent)
Infrared view
June 2023 Update
Last week, we shared that we will begin our largest scope of work under our Endurability efforts as we start repairs on our North Wall (which parallels 5th Street). In this video, Lily Berrios explains more about the work and why we are focused on the exterior first. You’ll also meet John Hannula, who will lead this project for Saint Mark!
For those of you who like details, take a look at the 3D drawings which will explain the intricate details of what it takes to stop our water intrusion.
May 28, 2023
Recent Sanctuary Plaster Repairs and Upcoming Exterior Work
For those of you who joined us in person on May 28th, you may have seen and heard the buzz about some repairs made to our "plaster snowfall" area on the 5th Street side near the rose window and in the area above the choir loft. We want to provide some background on what you saw and share some exciting work to begin in June.
On Saturday, May 27, there was a big wedding in the sanctuary with some long-ago family members who returned to Saint Mark for this important life milestone. As the family looked over the most severely damaged areas, they asked if they could make some repairs - even if temporary - to spruce up the church for their wedding. There was no cost to Saint Mark; the repairs allowed them to create the desired look; and we get to enjoy the restoration however long it lasts!
You may wonder - why do we emphasize "however long it lasts"......? Well, our plaster damage is caused by moisture. Until we complete our exterior repairs, or we have an end to rain forever (which would not be fun in Hotlanta), anything done in the interior is subject to the same fate as the previous plaster. So.....
.... We stay on our path. As advised by the Endurability Committee and external consultants with expertise in historical structures, Saint Mark will invest in more detailed sanctuary repairs after we have addressed the root cause of the "plaster snowfall - which is water intrusion coming through exterior areas in need of repair.
Here's some GREAT news! In mid-June, we will begin the exterior repairs on the North Wall, which parallels 5th Street. After this, we will continue to repair other walls for as long as our property sale funds last to contain and eliminate the water intrusion. Once we get the water intrusion under control, we will move to the interior sanctuary and begin making the more detailed and permanent plaster and paint updates.
But for now.... enjoy the generosity of our special guests and family for as long as we can, for they have given our sore eyes a break.....Pray for their life together - that the storms of life will not penetrate their love for one another.
Also, pray for our exterior repairs and the workers who will be on scaffolding and seeing the toll of time, wind, hail, rain, and heat on our beautiful structure built in 1902. Pray for their safety and wisdom. Pray that our financial resources will stretch far beyond our ability to comprehend. (Remember the fish and the five thousand? That's what we're talking about!)
God is indeed with us in this journey in ways we can see, feel, and celebrate. We are glad you are as well!
April 10, 2023
What’s going on with the parking courtyard?
As a follow up from our February 28th Update, things are moving along as planned. Most of the paving is completed but there is a small portion remaining and if the rain could give us a break, we should finish any day now. The main piece remaining is for a section of asphalt against the education building. It was scheduled to be paved on April 3rd but the wet conditions were not satisfactory to proceed. Streetlights was able to get the rock installed on April 6th and then – yes – the rain and threats of rain returned. Once installed, this is a heavy-duty paving specification with 8” of stone and 3.5” of asphalt to accommodate the dumpster servicing. Wisely, Streetlights did not provide a warranty waiver to do this faster. After all, our committee name “Endurability” is a real thing – we mean it!
The rest of the paving is completed and is beautiful. Our own Bill Sanders monitored this closely to be sure we have the required 14" thick driveway and 6" thick sidewalk. This also supports the drainage system goals we shared on February 28th.
The plantings installed are creating a really attractive space for us and should be good for the long-term (yes, Endurability!). Take a peek at our new look! We’re going to grow together!
April 7, 2023
47/57 Building Roof Project
We are nearing completion of the roofing of the 1947 and 1957 Education Building, including the gym.
The roofing contractor has completed the installation of the hard foam insulation, gypsum cover boards, and the final outer TPO membrane.
These buildings are finally "dried in."
Work remains on the perimeter detailing associated with the edge metal flashings, coping, gutters, down spouts, etc. We anticipate completing the roof work by April 25.
Thereafter, the contractor will repair the damage to the grounds, including the Chapel lawn and the land south of Saint Mark, which we procured a construction easement to facilitate the roof work.
March 8, 2023
47/57 Building Roof Project
One of Saint Mark's hidden gems is indeed our ….. GYM!
Many of you remember days when the sounds of our youth and young adults playing basketball and volleyball were part of the social life of our church. Others have been to drama productions which featured incredibly talented Saint Mark members and friends. Still others remember seeing their children ride tricycles around the gym.
Yes, we miss our gem, The Gym. Why? Well.... because over the years it has become an un-welcomed water feature (see the video below!). BUT... that is about to change. Bill Sanders has led the "47/57 Building Roof" project behind the scenes (or maybe ABOVE the scenes) to re-roof the area. This work covers the roof for the education building and gym - as 47 refers to the section constructed in 1947 and 57 refer to the portion built in 1957.
This is another step in Re(Building) our Legacy. We expect this work to begin any day now, with a target completion of mid-April. What an Easter gift this would be to have our gem, The Gym, dry and safe so every-bunny can enjoy it again!
More work to do there in the future....but keeping the water out is the first step.
February 28, 2023
Parking Deck Update
When Will our Parking Be Available?
Over the last couple of weeks, we have seen the grading and prep work behind the church, which is an important step in receiving the keys to our parking deck (Yay!). We are SO close… but just as our spiritual journey, what is underneath the surface is critical for long-term health. Our discovery this week is realizing that underneath the soon to be driveway lies an important drainage pipe system, and we need it to support our church facilities for decades to come. Before we install 14" of concrete, we need to address the piping underneath that supports the drainage of our facilities. This will likely cause a delay of 30 days, but not making these infrastructure adjustments now will lead to significant costs in the future and would include breaking up the concrete to reach the pipes. Instead, we will replace and extend drainage pipes as needed now, complete the parking bridge entrance into our Education Wing, and work through some security and weekday parking questions related to our new deck. We are "(re)building our legacy" in the right way and will be ready to celebrate many projects - including our new parking in April, assuming no new issues arise (Your cue to pray!)!
February 28, 2023
Chapel Update
While our Frances Winship Walters Chapel has been silent for the last few weeks as we worked through some details, it is roaring with activity this week!
Demo day started on Tuesday so you will notice a dumpster on the lawn for a few weeks. (What a great image for Lent!) The plaster has been repaired and a fresh coat of lighter paint will come to life soon. The floor tile has arrived (yay!) and soon you will see a lighter tile floor installed throughout the Chapel. We expect this phase to be completed "around" mid-March if there are no issues found.
(Your cue to pray!)
After our new colors, we will get together as a Church family to figure out the best solution and color for a ceiling replacement, which will be in our Phase 2 restoration.
Framework and Roadmap Community Engagement
December 13, 2022
UPDATE
Exterior work to waterproof the Chapel is completed. Work included a new slate roof, new copper flashing, repointed all the mortar joints, and more.
We now turn our attention to the Chapel Interior.
The interior plaster work is under contract and is scheduled to begin January 9, 2023.
After allowing 2 weeks for the plaster to cure, we will paint the plaster patches, replace the missing ceiling boards, and then replace the flooring.
Expected completion is late March 2023, just in time to celebrate the 75th Anniversary of its 1948 opening.
THE WINSHIP-WALTERS CHAPEL
THE EDUCATION BUILDINGS
The reroofing of the Education Buildings, including the Gym is now under contract.
Work is scheduled to begin January 3, 2023, with a mid-February 2023 completion.
Work will begin on the Education Building interiors later, after we address the Sanctuary interior.
Restrooms will then be first on the list.
PARKING DECK & DIRECT PEDESTRIAN CONNECTION TO SAINT MARK
Construction of the interior of the parking deck is now complete, but the City will not allow our use until a Certificate of Occupancy issues.
That certificate may not issue until the exterior work over our entrance is complete. We expect that to be accomplished in the next few weeks, by about February 15, 2023, when we will finally start parking in our “Parking Condominium.”
We will own 150 parking spaces, with our own vehicle entrance, our own elevator and a pedestrian entrance direct into the Peachtree level of our building.
Construction on the connector between St. Mark and the parking deck is near completion, except the entry door to St. Mark, the interior finishes (flooring, painting, etc.) and the elevator. Saint Mark Endurability is still working with StreetLights to complete construction of this area so that it provides ease of access for all our members and guests. This likely will not be accomplished by the date we begin using our parking deck.
THE SANCTUARY BUILDING EXTERIOR
The Endurability Committee received bids for the work on repairing and waterproofing the exterior of our Sanctuary building.
Since the bids were considerably higher than anticipated, Endurability and the Church Council are now fine-tuning the job scope into phases.
We will be addressing the north side (5th Street side) first, permitting us to make the much needed repairs on the Sanctuary interior.
Work could begin on the north wall exterior as early as Spring 2023.
THE SANCTUARY BUILDING INTERIOR
We plan to being work on the Sanctuary interior, including the crumbling plaster walls, as soon as the exterior work on the north wall is completed.
We are still working on the timeline and scope of work. More to come as soon as we have better estimates on timing.
Thank you for enduring the inconvenience of our construction work.
September 9, 2022
UPDATE
CHAPEL
Work continues on the chapel exterior. Expect completion in a few weeks. Periodic water tests are continuing to make certain all the leaks have been remedied. Some additional work remains to be done on the chapel ramp, but at a later date.
47/57 EDUCATION BUILDING ROOFS
A contract has been signed to proceed with the re-roofing of the Education Building. Sourcing for the roofing materials will soon begin. We anticipate that delivery and a projected start date could be as late as March 2023.
47/57 EDUCATION BUILDING INTERIOR
Streetlights is continuing to make progress on the new building, but they have requested and we have approved another extension of the office space they’re renting on the 2nd floor until February 1, 2023.
SANCTUARY EXTERIOR
All work on the exterior of the Sanctuary is on hold until Church Council can explore other funding sources, namely grant options. And that means that the sanctuary interior is also on hold until the exterior of the sanctuary building can be made water tight.
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Steps to repair and enhance our buildings are moving along steadily. Here are several of the most important parts that you’ve been asking about. And we’ll keep you updated as more details are finalized and scheduled.
THE CHAPEL
Construction began March 21 and is now scheduled to be completed by September 21, 2022. Repairing and waterproofing all elements where the chapel and educational building connect is nearing completion. Work on replacing the chapel’s slate roof is expected to start next.
PARKING DECK CONNECTION TO THE 2ND FLOOR
Saint Mark Endurability is working with StreetLights to finalize plans and schedule construction for this area so that it is both attractive and provides ease of access for all our members and guests. We will keep you posted about the plans and the work schedule.
THE SANCTUARY EXTERIOR
This week, the Endurability Committee approved the draft of the bid document for work on repairing and waterproofing the Sanctuary building. Our Engineers will immediately fine-tune the document and send it out for bids. We anticipate that this work could be under contract by June 1 with completion expected in Spring 2023.
SANCTUARY AND EDUCATION BUILDING INTERIORS
We are still fine-tuning the scope of work, budget, and timeline. We will keep you posted.