capital project
Several times in this bulletin I have informed you of a critical capital project that must be done for the survival of Saint John Church.
Overall, we have maintained our churches (upper and lower) well. We have responded quickly to important maintenance needs like plumbing or roof issues, both in our upper and lower churches. The churches are beautiful, and we spend thousands of dollars each year on repairing ceilings, plumbing, sidewalks and electrical problems. The friary is shabby, but it is functional and we Capuchins have a vow of poverty, so the house is fine. Thanks for your ongoing support that allows us to keep our churches beautiful and the friary functional. Ongoing maintenance will always be necessary.
However, the courtyard behind the church and friary is deteriorating. While it is not in danger of collapsing, it must be replaced or repaired. Our mechanical systems—heat, air conditioning, water and electricity -- are under the courtyard. Some years ago, Saint John’s stopped using a boiler and we buy our heat from the steam company. Our water comes from the City and we have a hot water heater and a pump to move the water throughout our buildings. Heat and water systems are fine. However, our upper church air conditioner and our electrical transformer are way past their expected useful lives.
So our capital project has three features:
- the deteriorating courtyard floor
- the electrical
- air conditioning systems.
I am fortunate to have dedicated experts advise me on these issues, and our parish council has been involved also as we have explored options.
Last week, the Archdiocese registered our project as a capital project. Our next step is to hire an architect to prepare a description and drawing of the project so that it can be given to contractors for bids. We expect the project to cost about one million dollars. Our parish council members are participating in the technical analysis of the project. They are also now discussing how best to ask for the money we need for this project.
So this will require that we ask you for money, for a generous donation to keep Saint John’s open and vibrant for another quarter century. I don’t foresee another capital project of this magnitude during my lifetime. I will ask you to prayerfully search your heart, and then to make a sacrificial donation to help to keep Saint John’s as a center of prayer and love in the heart of Center City. I am not asking yet, but soon I will need to ask.
