Brieman Floods                                                  Beams Sag                                       Paint Peels

July 6 2013. CUPC is in the final stages of launching its Capital Campaign. All seems ready, though the task daunting and the goal astounding, we are together, trusting, taking one step at a time. And then . . . a nut on an intake valve on an upstairs toilet loosens. Twelve hours later thousands and thousands of gallons of water flood the upper and lower Brieman building. The Food Pantry, housed in the Lower Pantry is threatened. Calls to emergency volunteers result in most of the off duty fire and police departments setting up a chain to move food from Brieman to the Fellowship Hall in the Sanctuary building. All other groups that use the space are moved to various locations and the work of clean up begins.

Built to last. Ancient beams, hand hewn, were placed with the sweat and muscle of man and horse. The engineering skill and craftsmanship of those who constructed our landmark Sanctuary has stood the test of time. And yet, as with all things, time has had it's effect. While the building's foundation and structure is essentially sound, it is necessary to stabilize a few beams that have sagged. 

The engineering analysis also indicates that the three furnaces which heat the massive building are each at "end of life" and will need replacing within the next few years. 

Anyone driving past the Sanctuary has known for years that it could use a paint job. Beyond the need for scraping and painting, window tracery must be replaced. The woodwork that holds our beautiful windows in place is at a critical point. Soon the windows will be in jeopardy. Plastic shields put in place to protect the windows have separated and sent water flowing between the plastic and the window weakening the tracery further. 

This project will not include restoration of the stained glass but will help us to stabilize the windows, replace broken glass, and make the building more energy efficent.