Not So Different After All
While Pastor Mike was checking his email and updating his blog, I was reviewing some structural repair needs at one of the buildings at the seminary. The building's ceilings are crumbling in places due to moisture inside the concrete, most likely dating back to its days as an intravenous solution factory when a large water tank was mounted on the roof above. Most of the ceiling will probably need to be knocked out and redone. (Note to self: add that to the list of capital needs.)
Now, in case any of you were thinking "oh, that is so 3rd world": At that moment, Pastor Mike leaned over and said that he got an email with the very sad news that a structural problem had been found in our fellowship hall at All Saints Lutheran in Worthington, Ohio, and that it would require extensive (read: expensive) repairs. One support beam was 50% compromised, and the engineer recommended that the room not be used until it is fixed.
First world and third world.... we're not so different, I guess.
P.S. Anyone from All Saints with new or more accurate info, please post in the Comments area.
posted by Eric Whitehead @ 7:30 PM
1 comments
1 Comments:
Eric - I don't know what new information you have regarding the parish hall, but I saw it on Thursday and here is what I know...
In the corner where the wall with the kitchen and the wall with the altar meet, the wooden beam that extends up the ceiling is pretty well rotted near the bottom. I was told you can stick a pencil all the way through it. This must be a load bearing support obviously if there is worry about it. (I don't know much about the structure of the room, however).
Opposite that corner (near the soundboard) I was told there was more rot near the bottom on the same opposite wooden beam. The corner behind the stage is fine and so is the corner opposite the stage.
Engineers reccomended that the Parish Hall not be used as a "gathering place" but the room is not condemned; most of the sound equipment is still there and we were able to walk around and inspect the damage.
The comment was made that the wooden beams are not the only structures supporting the ceiling and that the four concrete walls should be sufficient to hold up the room, but repairs should obviously be done nonetheless. Again, I am not familiar with the structure of the room and have no idea if this is accurate.
Sunday's service (tomorrow) is going to be a blended service in the sanctuary -- Chad and Mark have moved parts of the sound system down there and Thrice Denied + Megan will be playing 3 acoustic songs during the service.
The timeframe I was given for repair was 8 weeks and that it will take a very substantial amount of money.
As far as I know that is the most recent information as of Thursday.
Good luck with your mission!
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