WELCOME CENTER

• Our easy-to-locate and inviting entrance says all are welcome and includes a crosswalk for improved accessibility and safety.

• The large windows are energy efficient, double pane insulated glass with a Low-e coating to limit solar heat entering the building.

• To respect the classic beauty of our century-old building, great care was taken to match the existing stonework using a native limestone called Winterset, quarried near Ft Scott, KS. Masons tediously shaped the stone into a variety sizes and asymmetrical shapes simulating the existing stonework.

• Receptionists have a modernized security system to “buzz-in” guests at the south sanctuary entrance thanks to a video doorbell. The preschool also has a video doorbell for entrance from the lobby. The security system also features a keycard entry and several additional cameras.

SOCIAL HALL

• A new coffee bar, new ceiling, new lighting and chairs plus new paint and carpet help enhance the Social Hall as a space to extend God’s hospitality to one another.

• A seating capacity of 200 means the Social Hall can be used for speakers and classes, meals and receptions, retreats, community and outreach events, and more.

• The ceiling was removed to install temporary posts to support the heavy weight of the sanctuary scaffolding that was five stories high and gave access for installing all the new sanctuary HVAC ductwork, sprinkler lines and electrical upgrades.

• Once funding is raised, a new AV system will be installed.

CHILDREN’S WING

• Our program has 12 classrooms and 3 playgrounds serving ages 3 months to 5 years.

• The Next 100 project added 2 classrooms for the Preschool and Parent’s Day Out program to better serve the wider community. We are now licensed for 111 children but still have over 40 on the wait list.

• All preschool entrances on all floors have security doors accessed via key cards.

• A new stair tower exclusively for the children’s wing provides additional security and emergency exit.

PRESCHOOL / PARENTS’ DAY OUT RESOURCE ROOM

• This Resource Room is used to nourish body, mind and soul for children and staff.

• Our Preschool/PDO staff of 25 uses this much-needed new space as combination kitchen/laundry/meeting/planning/training area. Snacks for children are also safely stored here.

• Outfitted as a print shop decades ago, this room was most recently a storage area.  The existing location of sinks and plumbing were repurposed for laundry and kitchen uses.

• The old photo darkroom is now used for laundry and toy washing. It still has a functioning red light for developing film and printing photos!

HEATING AND A/C EQUIPMENT (Below the Parlor)

• The large sheet metal boxes here are called “plenums” and help improve air quality by bringing in fresh air and pushing out circulated air.  Before The Next 100 project, we didn’t bring fresh air into the sanctuary and elsewhere.

• A new “smart” system gauges the outdoor air’s temperature and humidity.  When the outdoor air is comfortable, it doesn’t have to be cooled or heated which saves energy.

• Air handling equipment was placed here for efficiently reaching the sanctuary, parlor and several offices.

• This area is part of the first original building and initially housed a temporary baptistry.  At one time, it was part of a basketball court.  Most recently, it was a meeting space called the “Pine Room.”

MECHANICAL EQUIPMENT AND STORAGE AREAS (Back of the Social Hall)

• The air handling equipment here serves the Social Hall and the area above you that is behind the sanctuary.

• The HVAC equipment circulates air to the outside through vents in existing window openings to a new sunken and walled area called an “areaway”.

• Mechanical equipment here also includes the organ blower, security system panels, AV controls, exterior fire suppression pump room, new electrical room, water heaters and a sump pump for the Social Hall.

• These new storage and mechanical rooms are in an area that originally housed the Senior Minister’s office and the kitchen.