Friedens Evangelical Church: Fire FAQ

Answers to Frequently Asked Questions
Regarding the Rebuilding Effort

September 29, 2002

Q1. Why was the recommendation made to move the chancel area to the east side of the sanctuary and what are the benefits?

A1.
The reasons to move the chancel to the east side of the Sanctuary include:

Code requirements that would significantly reduce the seating capacity of a rebuilt balcony.

The desire to create a larger more flexible chancel area that could be easily modified for funerals, weddings and special performances including the children's Christmas play and guest performances by musical groups.

The desire to make the entrance to the Sanctuary less intimidating to guests.

The desire to minimize distractions during services.

The recognition that most people enter and exit the Sanctuary from the west doors.

Q2. How does the proposed plan cost compare to how much it would cost to restore the sanctuary similar to the way it was before the fire?

A2. Friedens' general contractor and insurance company will be meeting during the next few weeks to discuss the repair costs and coverage for the line item listing of damages that is approximately 75 pages long. This is a slow process with insurance dollar credits being given for items like the balcony that due to modern building codes cannot be restored to its original pre-fire design.

Q3. How much will the proposed reconstruction cost?

A3. Estimates will soon be available but the exact cost of the reconstruction cannot be determined until a final plan is approved by the congregation.

Q4. What resources were available to the committee in helping to evaluate possible plans and how many floor plan designs were reviewed by the committee?

A4. The committee chose the architectural firm Torke, Wirth, Pujara LTD. (TWP) from a group of four semi-finalists that had contacted the church offering their services. Combined with Kelmann Corporation, the firm hired to perform the clean up and reconstruction, the two companies have reconstructed over 200 churches. The committee reviewed three initial concepts provided by TWP that included placing the sanctuary on the west, north and east walls. After deciding that the concept with the sanctuary on the east wall maximized use of the building, committee members visited five Milwaukee area churches recently restored/remodeled with designs by TWP, viewed several church interiors accessed from the Internet and analyzed numerous design options specific to Friedens.

Q5. Where will the choir be located in the reconstructed sanctuary and why has a permanent choir area been removed from the recommended plan?

A5. The choir will perform in the chancel area and then return to the general congregation seating for the remainder of the service. Accessibility, flexibility, and the desire of choir members to worship with their families and see the face of the pastor contributed to the recommendation to remove permanent choir seating from the plan.

Q6. What is the estimated congregational seating capacity for the renovated sanctuary?

A6. The renovated sanctuary with increased space between rows will seat approximately 214.

Q7. What was the estimated seating capacity of the pre-fire sanctuary?

A7. The pre-fire Sanctuary including the balcony and choir loft seated approximately 236.

Q8. What is 'flexible seating' and why is it recommended to replace the fixed pews?

A8. Flexible seating refers to pews and individual chairs that can be locked together in varying row lengths and configurations. The seats are padded and are generally considered to be as/more comfortable than conventional pew seating. A wide variety of styles are available that include Bible, hymnal and communion cup holders attached to the back of each seat. The pews and chairs can be added, removed and reconfigured in the sanctuary according to the needs for a specific service.

Q9. Will the renovated Sanctuary look and feel modern?

A9. No, the Sanctuary will not be 'modern.' Yes, the Sanctuary will be 'modernized.' Because the chancel area will be located on the east side of the building, the sanctuary will definitely appear 'different' and the reconstruction will certainly look, feel and smell 'new.' However, the warm feeling of the sanctuary that we are accustomed to will be preserved through the restoration of the stained glass windows and the utilization of the rich woodwork from the chancel area. Services will be enhanced through the design – hidden integration of the latest audio and visual technology.

Q10. Can the stained glass windows be restored to their original beauty and is the plan to restore all of the windows?

A10. Yes, we are told that the windows can be restored to their original condition. Presently, it has not been determined if all of the windows will be restored. The decision factors include the overall use of insurance dollars and the finalized design of the renovation. Changing the location of the chancel includes the opportunity to add additional stained glass windows.

Q11. What about the organ?

A11. We are told that the organ can be repaired to its original condition and also can be reconstructed in a way to allow for future enhancements. Current technology and construction techniques allow for enhanced digital features that integrate and replicate the look and sound of a pipe organ with reduced installation and maintenance costs. A final recommendation on the organ components will be made with input from the organ committee and church council.

Q12. Can there be use of pre-fire furnishings and fixtures in the renovations?

A12. Yes, many of the furnishings and fixtures that can be restored will be reused. Examples would include much of the chancel furniture and fixtures that will be repaired and reappear in the renovated chancel area. Also, the ornate overhead lighting fixtures that had become inadequate and were in some cases heavily damaged in the fire could be rebuilt and may reappear as wall sconces.

Q13. Did the committee consider adding new features to the sanctuary that would include a crying room and baptismal?

A13. Yes. Crying rooms are often specifically designed into floor plans for new construction sanctuaries. Their effectiveness and utilization have met with mixed reviews. The committee chose to recommend the extension of closed circuit television with audio to the current nursery areas in lieu of placing a crying room in the sanctuary. Baptismal trends and preferences have changed over time. Integrating a baptismal pool into the renovations was considered by the committee but due to installation and maintenance costs, space constraints, infrequent use and current practices the recommendation is to not include a baptismal pool in the renovation.

Q14. How long will it take to reconstruct the sanctuary once the congregation approves the plan?

A14. A timeline will be developed upon plan approval by the congregational with 8 to 10 months being a likely time frame for completion of the project. It is also likely that we will be able to have services in the renovated sanctuary a for a time before the restored stained glass windows are reinstalled.

Q15. Will we be able to see the work in progress?

A15. Yes, from time to time a viewing area will be made available immediately preceding/following Sunday morning services to view the progress.

Q16. Will we have a rededication once all the work has been completed?

A16. Yes, a dedication service will be planned as well as an open house for the community.

Q17. What can individuals do to help?

A17. Several additional committees will be required to make decisions regarding customized storage, hymnal(s) selection, lighting, memorials, pews and seating, etc. Watch your bulletin for announcements requesting committee volunteers. Please continue to pray for wisdom and guidance for committee members and the safety and skill for the craftsmen that are rebuilding the Sanctuary.

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454 N. Milwaukee Street, Port Washington, WI 53074
(262) 284-2471

Q1.	Why was the recommendation made to move the chancel area to the east side of the sanctuary and what are the benefits?
A1.	The reasons to move the chancel to the east side of the Sanctuary include: Code requirements that would significantly reduce the seating capacity of a rebuilt balcony. The desire to create a larger more flexible chancel area that could be easily modified for funerals, weddings and special performances including the children's Christmas play and guest performances by musical groups. The desire to make the entrance to the Sanctuary less intimidating to guests. The desire to minimize distractions during services. The recognition that most people enter and exit the Sanctuary from the west doors.
Q2.	How does the proposed plan cost compare to how much it would cost to restore the sanctuary similar to the way it was before the fire?
A2.	Friedens' general contractor and insurance company will be meeting during the next few weeks to discuss the repair costs and coverage for the line item listing of damages that is approximately 75 pages long. This is a slow process with insurance dollar credits being given for items like the balcony that due to modern building codes cannot be restored to its original pre-fire design.
Q3.	How much will the proposed reconstruction cost?
A3.	Estimates will soon be available but the exact cost of the reconstruction cannot be determined until a final plan is approved by the congregation.
Q4.	What resources were available to the committee in helping to evaluate possible plans and how many floor plan designs were reviewed by the committee?
A4.	The committee chose the architectural firm Torke, Wirth, Pujara LTD. (TWP) from a group of four semi-finalists that had contacted the church offering their services. Combined with Kelmann Corporation, the firm hired to perform the clean up and reconstruction, the two companies have reconstructed over 200 churches. The committee reviewed three initial concepts provided by TWP that included placing the sanctuary on the west, north and east walls. After deciding that the concept with the sanctuary on the east wall maximized use of the building, committee members visited five Milwaukee area churches recently restored/remodeled with designs by TWP, viewed several church interiors accessed from the Internet and analyzed numerous design options specific to Friedens.
Q5.	Where will the choir be located in the reconstructed sanctuary and why has a permanent choir area been removed from the recommended plan?
A5.	The choir will perform in the chancel area and then return to the general congregation seating for the remainder of the service. Accessibility, flexibility, and the desire of choir members to worship with their families and see the face of the pastor contributed to the recommendation to remove permanent choir seating from the plan.
Q6.	What is the estimated congregational seating capacity for the renovated sanctuary?
A6.	The renovated sanctuary with increased space between rows will seat approximately 214.
Q7.	What was the estimated seating capacity of the pre-fire sanctuary?
A7.	The pre-fire Sanctuary including the balcony and choir loft seated approximately 236.
Q8.	What is 'flexible seating' and why is it recommended to replace the fixed pews?
A8.	Flexible seating refers to pews and individual chairs that can be locked together in varying row lengths and configurations. The seats are padded and are generally considered to be as/more comfortable than conventional pew seating. A wide variety of styles are available that include Bible, hymnal and communion cup holders attached to the back of each seat. The pews and chairs can be added, removed and reconfigured in the sanctuary according to the needs for a specific service.
Q9.	Will the renovated Sanctuary look and feel modern?
A9.	No, the Sanctuary will not be 'modern.' Yes, the Sanctuary will be 'modernized.' Because the chancel area will be located on the east side of the building, the sanctuary will definitely appear 'different' and the reconstruction will certainly look, feel and smell 'new.' However, the warm feeling of the sanctuary that we are accustomed to will be preserved through the restoration of the stained glass windows and the utilization of the rich woodwork from the chancel area. Services will be enhanced through the design – hidden integration of the latest audio and visual technology.
Q10.	Can the stained glass windows be restored to their original beauty and is the plan to restore all of the windows?
A10.	Yes, we are told that the windows can be restored to their original condition. Presently, it has not been determined if all of the windows will be restored. The decision factors include the overall use of insurance dollars and the finalized design of the renovation. Changing the location of the chancel includes the opportunity to add additional stained glass windows.
Q11.	What about the organ?
A11.	We are told that the organ can be repaired to its original condition and also can be reconstructed in a way to allow for future enhancements. Current technology and construction techniques allow for enhanced digital features that integrate and replicate the look and sound of a pipe organ with reduced installation and maintenance costs. A final recommendation on the organ components will be made with input from the organ committee and church council.
Q12.	Can there be use of pre-fire furnishings and fixtures in the renovations?
A12.	Yes, many of the furnishings and fixtures that can be restored will be reused. Examples would include much of the chancel furniture and fixtures that will be repaired and reappear in the renovated chancel area. Also, the ornate overhead lighting fixtures that had become inadequate and were in some cases heavily damaged in the fire could be rebuilt and may reappear as wall sconces.

Q13.	Did the committee consider adding new features to the sanctuary that would include a crying room and baptismal?
A13.	Yes. Crying rooms are often specifically designed into floor plans for new construction sanctuaries. Their effectiveness and utilization have met with mixed reviews. The committee chose to recommend the extension of closed circuit television with audio to the current nursery areas in lieu of placing a crying room in the sanctuary. Baptismal trends and preferences have changed over time. Integrating a baptismal pool into the renovations was considered by the committee but due to installation and maintenance costs, space constraints, infrequent use and current practices the recommendation is to not include a baptismal pool in the renovation.
Q14.	How long will it take to reconstruct the sanctuary once the congregation approves the plan?
A14.	A timeline will be developed upon plan approval by the congregational with 8 to 10 months being a likely time frame for completion of the project. It is also likely that we will be able to have services in the renovated sanctuary a for a time before the restored stained glass windows are reinstalled.
Q15.	Will we be able to see the work in progress?
A15.	Yes, from time to time a viewing area will be made available immediately preceding/following Sunday morning services to view the progress.
Q16.	Will we have a rededication once all the work has been completed?
A16.	Yes, a dedication service will be planned as well as an open house for the community.
Q17.	What can individuals do to help?
A17.	Several additional committees will be required to make decisions regarding customized storage, hymnal(s) selection, lighting, memorials, pews and seating, etc. Watch your bulletin for announcements requesting committee volunteers. Please continue to pray for wisdom and guidance for committee members and the safety and skill for the craftsmen that are rebuilding the Sanctuary.