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On August 24, we were lucky to have enough volunteers on hand to clean our sanctuary's stained-glass windows! This was a unique opportunity, because the painters' scaffolding and equipment was still on site, allowing us to get up close to the high areas. The windows were coated with decades worth of dust, grime, and sticky wax from all of those candles. The volunteers also cleaned and reinstalled the ornamental gold pipes located on the front of our 1919 Möller pipe organ (at the front of the sanctuary), which led to some interesting discoveries.  Alexis gets up close and personal with Martin Luther.  Emma scrubbing away at decades of grime.  Charles and Rick divide and conquer.  John is syncing all the light bulbs to the same color, so the newly painted walls look terrific.  Charles is cleaning the top of the old Möller organ.  The original Möller factory marks, inside the organ. It was the company's 2,722nd instrument. J. Frank Butts, GLC's treasurer, took delivery of this organ in 1919.  Also found in the old organ: this worship bulletin from 1956, with hand-written notes from the organist. "Stop for last verse." Coffee hour would have been held in the basement, since the fellowship hall was not yet built.   
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Most of the plaster work is now complete, and we're painting all of the walls (and ceilings) in the sanctuary. Making progress! Look at the beautiful, smooth walls around the altar.  The walls around the altar are completed. Notice that the chandelier sconce hole is gone! They're still painting the high sections of the walls.  Smooth plaster on the walls around the altar.  The corners of the archway above the altar, where the worst damage was seen, have been completely restored.  Extensive work went into wrapping the pews and organ to protect them from plaster dust and paint.  The Martin Luther window is completely restored.  Scaffolding used to reach the highest sections of wall. Note the double-envelope of wrap that is protecting the Howell organ.  New plaster and paint reflects the light much more brightly. We are pleased to report that we're making progress on the plaster in the sanctuary. Much of the work above and around the altar is now complete. Our plasterer is turning his attention to the areas above the Luther and Luther Rose windows... meanwhile we're having some unsightly electrical fixtures replaced, and starting to think about paint colors.  The chancel (above the altar) area is looking great and smooth after significant plaster repairs!  Work in progress above the Luther window - the first steps are important in removing damage and determining extent needed, preparing surfaces...  ... and above the Luther rose window.  What's this? Where the wall sconces attach, there was an unsightly cable conduit that ran down below each, as well as a protruding electrical outlet. Now all the electrical has been buried behind the wall, and we'll have smooth and beautiful walls below our lights.  The unused chandelier sconce has been removed from above the altar! Note the pencil markings made by the original builders, and the many old coats of paint. Now to patch up this giant hole...  Paint has been chosen! We're excited for the fresh paint that will brighten our sanctuary and freshen our sacred, welcoming space for our anniversary and beyond!  Testing out various paint colors. The consensus was to try something brighter and matte.  Most of the plaster was removed from the wall behind the altar, and on each side of it. This gave us a chance to change the texture. Because this is the focal point of our worship services, we chose a smooth finish for the plaster here, to help brighten the space. |
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August 2020
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1556 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington, DC 20007 |
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