CHURCH REFURBISHMENT
On Sunday, August 20th, parishioners at Christ Episcopal Church in
Covington were treated to an unveiling of the newly refurbished sanctuary. The project was
lead by Margie Valliant, a parishioner and local interior decorator, who noted that
"with the church’s changing needs, along with continued growth, it was
imperative that we enhance, lighten, and update our already lovely church without
destroying the architectural integrity that already existed." She credits the entire
planning process to refurbishment committee members Frank and
Fran Whiteley, June Davis, Scott Chotin, Judge Larry Green, Randy Turner, Sara Lipman,and
the Reverend John Bauerschmidt, who successfully strived to achieve "the main
objective, to enhance our worship time together as a church family."
According to the Reverend John Bauerschmidt, the project was realized through the
support of the vestry and the generosity of parishioners. The sanctuary has had no major
renovations since it was built in 1967, and the recent eight week refurbishment project is
to be seen as a "facelift, rather than reconstructive surgery." The Rev.
Bauerschmidt commends the vision of the committee, remodeling contractor Bill Keller, wall
finishing artist Sylvia Dumas of "Fantasy Finishes," and Bay St. Louis,
Mississippi architect Fred Wagner, whose collaboration enabled "a sensitive updating
of the church’s worship space," blending "a continuity of the past and a
welcome update" of the existing sanctuary.
The Reverend Bauerschmidt also noted that the entire process has been "a community
project," with parishioners assisting with smaller, non-contract jobs, such as pew
refinishing, painting, and interior staining. After a week in Tennessee working at Habitat
for Humanity, the youth group took another break from Summer Vacation, coming together to
clean the sanctuary along with several parishioners. Church Sexton Dale Roddy was also an
invaluable part of the refurbishment project, earning the title of "Mr.
Fix-It-All."
The sanctuary refurbishment heralds the new Fall worship schedule at Christ Church. Due
to growing numbers and the desire for everyone to worship comfortably, the Sunday worship
schedule will expand, with services at 7:30 am, 9:00 am, 11:00 am, and 6:00 pm. Christian
formation classes for all ages will be held between the 9:00 and 11:00 celebrations of the
Eucharist. The new schedule begins on September 10th, and all members of the
community are invited to come and find their own space at Christ Church.
Submitted by Allison Mercante and Leah Barter |