Dedication: May 13, 2012

The new cross on the steeple will be dedicated as St. John’s Memorial Cross on Sunday, May 13. Only names of the deceased will be recorded on the plaque. There is a minimum $100 donation and only two lines on the plaque per donor/household. We will also thank our general benefactors that day, and the names of all who have given to the steeple project will be recorded in a special Steeple Benefactors Book, which will be on display. Cheques should be made payable to “St. John’s Church - Save Our Steeple”. Donations will be received until May 13 and the plaque revealed at a later date.

St. John’s Memorial Cross is Given to the Glory of God & in Loving Memory of

Look for our “Pennies from Heaven” buckets for the Save our Steeple Fund.

We are collecting pennies to help to pay for our steeple . Round up all of those loose pennies you have lying around and place them in the marked buckets. Every penny helps!

ROAST BEEF DINNER - Fundraiser for Save Our Steeple

A huge thank-you to Taran Wharram for organizing our Roast Beef Dinner on Friday. Thank you as well to those of you who were willing to help with this “first ever” even for St. John’s. As they used to say in the papers, “a good time was had by all”.

We received this from one of our parishioners:

A CHALLENGE to the members of St. John’s. At our annual meeting last Sunday, Doug gave us a detailed report on our steeple repairs. He told us that after cashing in many of our investments there is still a need for a $105,000 loan. A challenge has been made by a fixed income pensioner to see if 100 of us can’t contribute at least $1000 each so there would be no need for this loan. Of course any amount, big or small, would help. You might want to contribute $100 per month for 10 months. Come on folks! The steeple is repaired (as the majority wanted) now let’s get it paid for!

JANUARY 2012

It is great to see the steeple finally finished. Thank you to the Wardens for their extra efforts during the steeple repairs. If you would like to make a donation to our steeple repair, we’d be most grateful. Please make a cheque payable to “S.O.S.- St. John’s”. The total cost of the project is approximately $380,000. We have received donations from former clergy and former members who care about our beautiful building. If you know of anyone who might like to help, please let them know!

A word of explanation

At our Special Vestry Meeting to decide the fate of the steeple, the Wardens were authorized to cash 1/3 of our investment portfolio and take a loan up to $150,000. They were also asked to call another Special Vestry Meeting if the projected cost was over $350,000, which it wasn’t. About two weeks prior to the completion of the job it was discovered that the repair cost would exceed $350,000. This was a surprise to us. However, due to the generosity of donors, we do not have to exceed the financial strategy laid out at the Special Vestry. Please keep the cause alive as we continue to pay for the work.

NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2011

Throughout November, new plywood sheeting was installed over the existing roof boards, the sill beam was replaced and additional repairs were made to the masonry on the exterior of the steeple. A water intrusion barrier was installed over the plywood sheeting. It was identified that the joints around the gargoyles needed to be re-done. All of this work was completed in November and early December.

When the cross at the very top of the steeple was removed for inspection, it revealed that the centre post was badly rotted over a length of about four feet. This portion was replaced with a new wooden member and a new cross assembly is being fabricated.

The installation of the copper panels started on December 7. It is expected that the project will be completed in the latter part of the month, although the scaffolding may not be removed until the end of the month or into the new year.

OCTOBER 2011

Scaffolding was erected in early October. When the old copper roof was removed, it was revealed that there were deteriorated roof boards, the sill beam was in worse conditions than previously realized and more rot was found in the gables that form the peaks of the crown. Some exterior brickwork was also in need of repair.

The engineering company responsible for design of the repair directed that plywood sheeting be placed over the roof boards, the outside portion of the sill beam be replaced and extensive repairs be made to some of the exterior masonry. This extra work will push the cost of the repair, including design and project management, to over $300,000.

The installation of structural steel on the interior of the steeple was completed on October 31. It is expected that the entire job will be completed by the end of November.

The Problem