June 2021
We are excited to welcome everyone back to our St. John’s home as we begin to open up the building and resume in person worship. We began our capital campaign in early 2019 with our consultant Leslie Pendleton and held Bungalow meetings in the fall to discuss who we are as St. John’s and where we want to go. A summary can be found at: https://www.stjohnschicago.com/?p=4317
Then the Pandemic hit and delayed our progress, but we did some urgently needed interior work, taking advantage of our building being unoccupied. The Vestry approved spending $28,750 from the endowment for capital repairs and borrowing approximately $50,000 to begin some capital improvements. At least $50,000 will need to be paid back ($13,000 has already been received as a result of asking for pledges during the annual appeal). See the amazing before and after photos at: https://www.stjohnschicago.com/?cat=74
Here’s how we spent the endowment funds:
| Capital Repairs | |
| Asbestos Removal and Testing by Bluestone and NVIRO, packing and moving by the sextons | $25,550.00 |
| Replacement of Garden steps and sidewalk by Lopez Concrete | $3,200.00 |
| Subtotal spent for capital repairs | $28,750.00 |
| Capital Improvements | |
| Three broken sewer pipe repairs by American Home Vintage | $10,708.00 |
| New flooring for basement by ACD Floors | $13,832.65 |
| Refinishing of second floor, new bathrooms, painting and drywall of reception area and storage room, electrical work, and repairs related to plumbing fix by Dyjewski, Inc. | $27,100.00 |
| Project Management Services by Bruce Yeager | $1,542.55 |
| Subtotal spent for capital improvements | $53,183.20 |
| Total | $81,933.20 |
With our project manager, the results of our Bungalow meetings and the completion of “pandemic projects”, we have begun to define the scope and estimate the cost of additional projects to consider funding for a Fall 2021 capital campaign. The projects we propose include:
- Pay back endowment (between $40,000 – $70,000)
- Front Door Landscaping
- Kitchen Renovation
- Replace or Fix Church garage
- Stained Glass Restoration
- Sanctuary Accessibility – ramp, removing steps & carpet in chancel, moving altar rail
- Sanctuary Renewal – floors, carpet, walls and ceiling
- Air Conditioning – Parish Hall and/or Sanctuary
- Sound system for Parish Hall and/or Sanctuary
- Small items: new carpet on Byron Street stairs and new slop sink in Boiler Room
Our next major step will be a Feasibility Study this summer. This will provide another opportunity for congregational feedback. Everyone will receive a survey that will ask questions about a Case Statement that outlines proposed specific projects and costs which connect to our mission and ministries, including:
▪ Does everyone in the parish understand the need and agree with it?
▪ Which projects are a top priority?
▪ Are there any underlying issues that need to be addressed?
▪ Will the members of our parish as well as community partners support us financially? If so, how much?
We will share the results with the parish in a comprehensive report before moving to the Capital Campaign Appeal.
